Mahoney Pitches Panthers Past Cougars
Panther Ryan Mahoney pitched a complete game victory over the visiting Kettle Run Cougars on Wednesday. Mahoney struck out two while only allowing 3 runs, as the Panthers advance to the Regional Finals on Friday and a berth to the State Tournament...
Photo By: Kristin Stubbs / Potomac Falls High School | VIEW GALLERY
STORY BY: MICHAEL MARZZACCO / POTOMAC FALLS HIGH SCHOOL
POTOMAC FALLS, VA - Last season the Panthers made it all the way to the State Semifinals. This year, making it to the next level means getting into the State play-off tournament. In order for that to happen they had to get past the Kettle Run Cougars. In front of packed stands at Panther Park, with the fans full of energy, Potomac Falls got to work.
Ryan Mahoney pitched for the Panthers and pitched a great game. Kettle Run got on the board first on a double to take an early 1-0 lead in the first inning.
In the bottom of the second, Ryan Miller got the Panther offense started with a double to deep left field. Then Michael Lascomb drove a single up the middle to score Miller and tie the game at 1. Matt Hoover then singled into left field to score Lascomb and give Potomac Falls a 2-1 lead.
Neither team scored in the third inning, however, in the bottom of the fourth, the Panthers scored five runs. Hoover hit another single that scored Miller, Jackson Rogers scored on a wild pitch, and Hoover scored on a balk by the pitcher. Then, with great hustle, Thomas Rea beat an out at first base that scored Tyler Caldwell, and Ryan Mahoney hit a double to right field that scored Ben Sweger. By the time that rally ended the score was 7-1 Panthers.
Potomac Falls added another run in the fifth on a Rogers sacrifice fly that scored Lascomb. The Panthers were now ahead 8-1. The Cougars scored two more runs in the sixth inning, but it wasn't enough as the Panthers won 8-3 and advanced to States for the second straight year!
Ryan Mahoney pitched a complete game while striking out two and allowing only three runs.
"Ryan Mahoney came out and threw a gem of a game, he shut them down all night and did a great job," said a prideful Coach Joe Terango."
Looking ahead to the State Tournament, Terango added, "We feel good about it, we feel like we're hitting the ball well, pitching well and playing good defense so we're excited to make another run at the State tournament."
Sometimes in the spring, there isn't a lot of school spirit compared to the fall and winter but the last couple of years there has been great turnouts at baseball games at Potomac Falls and the fans were loud and energetic tonight. On the support Terango added, "We have a great baseball community, and they have always shown up for the games."
The Panthers will take on Brentsville Friday night in Panther Park in the Regional Championship game. First pitch is at seven o'clock, but check the Potomac Falls website in case the time changes. Brentsville beat Broad Run today 5-2, and in 2008 they beat Potomac Falls in extra innings at the Regional Semifinals, ending their season. The Panthers are looking for revenge, will they get it? Find out this Friday night! Go Panthers!
