On Feb. 27, the Pacheco Panther baseball team traveled to Dos Palos to play the Bronco baseball team in a non-league matchup.
The Broncos scored five runs in the second inning to take a 5-0 advantage, and then had to hold off the Panthers to claim a narrow 6-5 victory.
A walk to Matt Chavez against Panther starter Aiden Pikas opened the door to a five run second inning.
Gilbert Ramirez reached base on a Panther error, and both runners scored on a Chase Merrill double.
RBI singles by Hernan Hernandez and Gaven Blackwood-Estrada (2/3, RBI) plated two more Bronco runs, and a fifth Dos Palos runner crossed home plate by way of a wild pitch.
Base hits by Zeeland Hatcher (2/4, 3 runs scored) and Aiden Pikas (1/2, Sac Fly, RBI) produced the first run for Pacheco to cut the Bronco lead to 5 to 1.
Daven Cabley (2/2, RBI) doubled home Zeeland with the second Panther run to make the score 5 to 2 in favor of Dos Palos.
Some sloppy defense by the Broncos in the top of the sixth inning plated three more Panther runs to tie the score at 5 to 5, and resulted in Sixto Ibarra being removed from pitching by new Bronco head coach, Frank Lemos.
The Broncos regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when walks to Merrell, Drane Hennegan and Mason Soares loaded the bases and Merrell scored the deciding run on a fielder’s choice, giving the Broncos their 6 to 5 victory.
