Sweger, Lascomb Power Panthers To Title
Junior Ben Sweger got it done in a big way on both offense and defense in the Region II Championship game. Sweger's solo shot to start the home half of the 1st inning gave the Panthers the jump start they needed offensively. Not only did Sweger perform offensively, but the shortstop made some stellar plays throughout the game...
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Senior Brian McBride swung a hot bat for the Tigers. McBride hit two dingers and drove in 5 runs for Brentsville...
Photo By: Kristin Stubbs / GamedayMagazine | VIEW GALLERY
Michael Lascomb drove a bomb out of Panther Park for a solo homerun in the bottom of the 3rd inning to give the Panthers a 5-4 lead...
Photo By: Kristin Stubbs / GamedayMagazine | VIEW GALLERY
STORY BY: MICHAEL MARZZACCO / POTOMAC FALLS HIGH SCHOOL
POTOMAC FALLS, VA - After the Panthers dominated in the Regional Quarterfinals and Semifinals, they hosted the Regional Championship game at Panther Park. They took on the Brentsville Tigers. The atmosphere was unbelievable! The student section was packed. They were standing and cheering loudly, it was like the Panther Pit (basketball) meets baseball!
In the bottom of the first inning, Ben Sweger homered on the very first pitch to deep left field! Panther fans went into a frenzy! Then with runners at second and third, Sam Bass made it to first base on a throwing error. This scored Ryan Mahoney to make it two-zip for the Panthers. Shortly after, the Panthers did the double steal. As Bass stole second base, Michael Lascomb scored on the throw to second base. After that, Jackson Rogers hit a triple to centerfield. Bass scored to give the Panthers a 4-0 advantage.
Ryan Miller pitched for Potomac Falls. In the top of the second, the Tigers came right back with a two-out rally. Mike Lennox started it with a solo shot to cut the Panther lead to three. Then after Brian Worley got hit by a pitch, Matt Holman hit a double to right field that scored Worley to cut the lead in half, 4-2. After that, the Tigers tied the game on a two-run double by Jimmy Kerns and it was 4-4. The Tigers threatened with the bases loaded. They hit a sharp line drive, but short-stop Ben Sweger made a diving catch to end the inning!
In the bottom of the third, the Panthers got the lead back as Michael Lascomb, Dulles District Player-of-the-Year, homered to right field that gave the Panthers a 5-4 lead! After the Panthers loaded the bases with 0 outs, the Tigers got a double play. But, the Panthers still scored a run to make it 6-4. Jackson Rogers then scored on a wild pitch that made it 7-4 at the end of the third inning.
In the top of the fourth, Stephen Fisher came in to pitch in relief. But the Tigers never quit as they hit a three run homer that once again tied the game at 7-7. In the bottom of the fourth, the Panthers responded with runners on 1st and 3rd. Rogers singled to score Nick Fernandez to give the Panthers an 8-7 lead. Then Mahoney scored on a wild pitch that gave Potomac Falls a 9-7 edge.
In the top of the fifth, the Tigers tried to come right back and nearly scored a run with two outs, but Michael Lascomb fielded the ball along the first baseline. Then he dived to first base to tag the runner out and end the inning! In the bottom of the inning, the Panthers had the bases loaded with two outs. After Bass walked to score a run, Jackson Rogers hit a bases clearing double to score three runs and put the Panthers ahead 13-7.
Brentsville scored two runs in the sixth and one run in the seventh and had the bases loaded with one out. The Panthers were still leading 13-10. The go-ahead run was at the plate. The fans were nervous but the Panthers turned a double play to end the game and clinch their second straight Regional Championship!
A proud Coach Joe Terango said, "They have a well swinging baseball team and we've got one too. The game was intense and our kids never backed off for a minute. Every time they put runs on the board, we'd come right in here and answer the bell."
Last year many of Terango's players experienced the thrill of the State Tournament, most of them were sophomores that made Varsity that year. They won the State Quarterfinal and made it to the State Final Four. On what he thinks last year's experience is going to do for this team, Terango added, "It does wonders. I told the kids before the game 'gentlemen, your not going to see anything you've never seen before.' I feel good going into the Tournament, especially since the first game is here. We're excited about it. We'll be ready!"
Jackson Rogers went 4-for-4 with big hits for the Panthers. On how well his team has been able to produce he said, "One good thing about this team is that we're well rounded. We come in everyday and work hard on everything: bunting, fielding, hitting. So when it comes down to the spot where you need offense, then we can produce."
Jackson might be pitching on Tuesday night in the State Quarterfinals at Panther Park. If the Panthers win they will go to Radford for the second straight year. He added, "I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to coming out here and hopefully do what I can for my team and getting us another long bus trip down to Radford again."
The Panthers clinched home-field advantage with this Regional Championship. They will play Powhatan High School on Tuesday June 8 at Panther Park. Game time is to be determined.
