By Michael Lindsay
The Stone Memorial Panthers put up a season-high 26 runs Monday evening to kick off their District 7-3A series against cross-town rival Cumberland County as they defeated the Jets 26-2 in 5 innings.
“We try to prepare like it’s not a rivalry game,” said Stone Memorial head coach Trent Stokes. “It’s a district game and the guys did a really good job. We keep the emotions at bay and it’s just a district game.”
Stone Memorial racked up 13 hits and 19 RBIs in Monday’s win. Senior Nick Osmun went 3-4 with 6 RBIs, 4 runs scored, 2 doubles and a home run. Panther first baseman Bryce Elmore also went 3-4 along with 5 RBIs, 4 runs scored, a double and a home run.
Osmun also pitched for the Panthers as he gave up 2 hits and struck out 2 batters in three innings.
“Nick did awesome,” said Stokes. “We can’t ask for much more. He shut it down and at the plate he was 3-4 with another district home run. He’s a true competitor and did what we needed him to do.”
Cumberland County struck first in the top of the first inning as a Kellen Burnett single scored Eli Ostrander to give the Jets a 1-0 lead.
Stone Memorial responded in the bottom of the first inning with 10 runs including two hits by Osmun and Elmore along with one by Kyle Hinch and Drake Scarbrough.
“Coming off a bad loss on Friday, they came in on Sunday and re-dialed some things in,” said Stokes. “As a coach, you know when your team is ready to roll. I knew we could come out and play a really good game today.”
After holding Cumberland County scoreless in the top of the second, Stone Memorial scored 12 runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 22-1 lead over the Jets.
“We’ve had some leads on some teams but given them up,” Stokes said. “It was important to us to come out and finish that.”
Stone Memorial tacked on 3 runs in the bottom of the third and one in the fourth to win by a 26-2 final score.
The teams are scheduled to play Tuesday at Cumberland County, weather permitting.
“Ultimately, we want to finish a team off,” said Stokes. “We haven’t finished them off until we take care of business Tuesday.”
