Game one was loaded with fireworks as the teams combined to score 26 runs. In the bottom of the 5th inning, with PV trailing 14-5, Bryan Gonzalez belted a two-run bomb over the fence and brought the Panthers’ deficit to 14-7. Jackson State University got two runs back in the top of the 7th inning to drive the lead back up to 17-7. In the bottom half of the inning, the Panthers threatened with runners on, but ultimately fell short.
Afterwards, head coach Michael Robertson chimed in with his thoughts on the game. “We got our heads handed to us. JSU is tough; they took advantage of every extra opportunity that we gave them. We are still young and just need to develop consistency. I am glad that something like this happens to us early in the season, before we start SWAC play.
On the positive side, we got a chance to run some of our freshman pitchers out there in (Michael) Vega and (Fernando) Almaguer. Both gave us a good effort and I believe they will be able to help us later on down the road, specifically in conference play,” said Robertson.
In game two, you could tell that these Panthers didn’t let the previous game get them down, specifically Anton Daley. Daley put on a hitting clinic that would make Barry Bonds proud.
In the first inning, Daley smashed a two-run homer over the outfield wall and put the Panthers ahead, 3-2. Daley was only getting started.
In the second inning with the bases loaded, Daley pulled an encore and destroyed a pitch for a grand slam and gave PV an 8-2 lead. Daley still wasn’t done.
The bottom of the 3rd inning saw Daley sail another pitch over the fence, this time a solo home run to increase the lead to 11-6. The game ended in a 19-13 victory for the Panthers.
Afterwards, Robertson was beaming with happiness. “This was a very, very huge win. Anytime you can beat a team like JSU, which is an older team loaded with leadership, it’s good,” said the coach.
Anton Daley, the star of the game, played the humble card after his gargantuan performance. “I’ve been seeing the ball real well lately. The coaches have been telling me to keep my hands back and I listened. It’s my job to drive in runs and that’s what I try to do.