Panthers top Cashton for regional title
Logan Robertson and the rest of the Panthers celebrate with the regional trophy.
By David Paradise
Star-Times Sports Editor
Having locked up the top seed in the region, the Royall Panthers baseball team was looking to win a couple of games in front of their home crowd, add a regional title to the conference title they already won this season and advance to sectional action on Tuesday.
Royall kicked off regional action on Tuesday against the Weston Silver Eagles. Weston threatened in the top of the first, but the Panthers were able to come up with a huge play at the plate as catcher Brian Miller flipped the ball to pitcher Thomas Vieth, who was able to tag the runner and end the Silver Eagle threat.
The Panther offense couldn't get anything going in the bottom of the first and Weston threatened in the second but left three runners on and the score remained at
0-0.
Royall's offense couldn't capitalize in the second and Weston once again threatened, but a Matt Vieth relay throw from second, nailed a Silver Eagle runner at home to keep the game scoreless.
Royall was able to take advantage of a pair of walks in the third, and a Thomas Vieth double drove in the Panthers first run. Royall added another run in the bottom of the fourth on a Logan Robertson single and that is all they would need as Vieth and the Panther defense kept Weston scoreless and gave up just three hits.
Next up for the Panthers was the Cashton Eagles in regional final action on Wednesday. Scoreless through two, the Panthers offense was able to get things going in the bottom of the third. Logan Robertson started things off with a single, Allen Roscovius doubled and Brian Miller drove in Robertson to give Royall an early 1-0 lead. Vieth doubled scoring both Roscovius and Miller. Cory Witt added a double and Riley Brown drove in Vieth and Witt with a double to put the Panthers up 5-0.
Cashton was able to get a run back in the top of the fourth, but wouldn't get any closer as the Panther defense stayed strong behind pitcher Cody Biermeier to win 5-1 and advance to sectional action.
Royall will play La Farge in Potosi at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the winner will play the winner of Belmont and Barneveld at 5 p.m. in Potosi.