A late rally by Fort Stockton propelled the Panthers to a victory in their district opener at Greenwood on March 22, extending the Panthers’ win streak to four games.

The Rangers jumped out to 6-0 lead by the end of the first inning after scratching out six of their eight hits in the first three frames.

The Panthers rally began in the fifth inning and by the end of the sixth frame, Fort Stockton had a 9-6 lead. The Panthers added two runs in the seventh to cap their 11-6 victory.

Fort Stockton plated five runs in a mistake-filled fifth inning for Greenwood. The Rangers pitching staff walked four batters and hit another, along with an error committed by the defense.

Jaydrien Ramirez and Xzavaier Dominguez provided critical two-out singles in the inning for the Panthers.

Greenwood followed suit on the mound in the sixth frame, walking three additional batters. The Rangers had five pitchers walk 10 batters over course of the seven-inning contest.

Fort Stockton scored four runs in the sixth frame and added two insurance runs in the seventh frame.

Ramirez and Dominguez added hits in the sixth and seventh inning, finishing the game tied for a team-high three hits apiece and six RBIs.

Relief pitchers Julian Leyva and Isaiah Velasquez quieted the Greenwood bats in the final three innings. The duo allowed two hits, one walk, and struck out three in relief of starting pitcher Cruz Rojas.

The junior started his second consecutive game on Tuesday and allowed six hits, two walks, and struck out one batter in four innings of work.

The Panthers record improved to 12-4 with the win.

Panthers conclude non-district play with win

Fort Stockton defeated Reagan County in impressive fashion on March 18 by the score of 12-2. The double-digit scoring output by the Panthers marked the ninth time this season Fort Stockton has scored at least 10 runs.

Nine different batters ended the game with a hit. Ramirez, Alfredo Molina, Felipe Sotelo, and Ethan Acosta each had two hits each during Friday’s home contest for the Panthers.

The Fort Stockton pitchers for Friday’s game – Rojas, Marco Garcia, Rylan Nunez – allowed no hits, five walks, and one earned run. 

“Our fielders played stellar defense behind the Panther hurlers throughout the game,” Fort Stockton coach Tony Pallanez said.