Panthers and Warriors Battle In District XI Quarterfinal Baseball Action

Est. Read Time: 4 mins

Saucon Valley’s Dane Druckenmiller was good for two RBI in the 2018 District XI quarterfinals.

On an absolutely gorgeous spring day with warm temperatures and a light breeze, the #3 Saucon Valley Panthers (13-6) hosted the #6 Wilson Warriors (10-10) in the 2018 District XI 4A high school baseball quarterfinal.

Monday’s contest started as a battle of two pitching aces. The Panthers Kyle Petsch took the mound to face the Warriors Gabe Karslo. Karslo, who is committed to continue his baseball and academic career at Fordham University, was a key fixture on Wilson’s deep run last season that ended in PIAA state tournament quarterfinals. Petsch, a senior, fought his way to a 5-2 record this season for the Panthers.

Kyle Petsch was very good early against the Wilson Warriors in the 2018 District XI quarterfinals.

After a scoreless first inning that saw Karslo strike-out Saucon’s first three batters, the Panthers bounced right back in the bottom of the second inning. Kyle Petsch helped his own cause with a base-hit and it was immediately followed by Patrick Morrissey’s fielder’s choice which allowed Petsch to advance to second base. Panther first baseman Jared Thatcher followed with another single that put runners at the corners for senior, second baseman Dane Druckenmiller. Thatcher was able to steal second base uncontested which allowed Druckenmiller to claim two RBI with a soft liner into the gap in right centerfield. Thatcher motored home drawing the outfielder’s throw allowing Druckenmiller to take second base. After two innings, Druckenmiller led the Panthers to a 2-0 lead.

Kevin Schoch and the Panthers had took an early lead against the Warriors.

After a scoreless third inning, Wilson centerfielder, Anthony Vega, led off the top of the fourth with the first of his two doubles on the night. With two outs, Vega would cross the plate when a Warrior teammate earned a base-hit down the third-base line. The Panthers minimized the damage, but after giving up a leadoff base-hit Karslo went on to strikeout the Panther side. At the end of the fourth, the Panthers clung to a 2-1 lead.

As Elias Englehart looks on, Panther centerfielder Alstan Wolfe shags a pop fly during second inning action in the 2018 PIAA District XI quarterfinal.

It was all Warriors in the 5th as they were able to push two more runs across the plate and take a 3-2 lead. The Warrior rally was highlighted by a two out double by Vega.

The Panther bats seemed a little chilled due to Karslo’s mix of pitches. The senior appeared to have good placement with his fastball and a nasty curveball that was key in his eleven strikeouts. Wilson added a couple of insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings including a line-drive solo homerun that found its way just over the left field fence. With their 5-2 defeat of the Panthers, the Wilson Warriors advance to the D-XI Semifinals to battle either #5 Pottsville or #2 Northwestern Lehigh.

After leading early, the Panthers fell to the Wilson Warriors in the 2018 District XI tournament.

The 100th season of baseball for Hellertown/Saucon Valley High School was solid for the Panthers and Coach Laub who now say goodbye to their nine seniors.