Panther baseball jumped out to a great start in District 27 2A play with wins over the Ingram Warriors, the Johnson City Eagles, and the Comfort Bobcats. On Tuesday, March 19 the Panthers shut-out the Warriors 18-0. James Leachman, senior pitcher, got the win going 2 innings and striking out 4 batters. T. J. Hardin batted 3 for 4, scoring 4 runs and knocking in 2. Leachman had 2 hits and 2 RBI. McKay Adamson and Layne Lassberg each had 2 RBI. Facing the Eagles on Friday, March 22, the Panthers recorded an 11-3 victory. Pitching for Blanco, Josh McCaslin went the distance, striking out 8 batters and giving up just 2 hits to get the win on the mound. Hardin had 3 hits, with Colton Childress adding 3 hits and 4 RBI. Kyle Gray had 2 hits and scored 3 runs. Chad Marshall and Lassberg each scored 2 runs.
On Monday, March 25 the Panthers fought back from a 0-8 deficit to beat the Bobcats 12-10. On the mound, Ian Ray got the win going 3 innings, giving up 1 hit and no runs. Childress and Hardin each had 2 hits. McCaslin hit 2 RBI. Hardin had the big hit in the last inning with a 2 out, 2 RBI single to put the Panthers up for good.
Blanco suffered a 2–14 non-district loss on Thursday, March 28 to Austin St. Andrews Episcopal. McCaslin took the loss on the mound. Sam Isenberg, Gray, and Adamson each had a hit.
On Saturday, March 30 the annual Alumni game and Homerun Derby was held. Blanco varsity defeated the alumni team 4-1. Pitching for the Panthers, Lassberg started and got the win. McCaslin hit 3 RBI. Alum, Pepe Mancha won the Homerun Derby. Other finalists included the defending 2012 champion alum, Eddie Calzoncit, alum Ross McCormick, alum Ky McNett, and current varsity member Colton Childress.
The Panthers hold a 20-3 overall record and 3-0 district record. Come support the Panthers on Friday, April 5 as they battle Lago Vista at home with the junior varsity starting at 4:30 and varsity playing at 7:00.
More from Sports.