Bobcats fall to Panthers, eliminated from post season

Bobcat catcher Joe Hardy waits patiently in the on-deck circle for his chance to get up to bat.

by Bart Moss for the FCT

The Phil Campbell Bobcats were eliminated from the 2A baseball playoffs by the Mars Hill Panthers over the weekend.  The Bobcats had earned a split with the Panthers on Friday, forcing a decisive game three on Saturday.

Leading 1-0 in the second inning, Mars Hill hit their first home run of the season—a grand slam—dealing a critical blow to the Bobcats hopes of advancing in the playoffs.  The game was instantly 5-0 in Mars Hill’s favor.

The Bobcats would never be able to overcome the deficit losing 8-2.  Phil Campbell had only four hits in the game.  Skylar Tackett had an RBI double and Peyton Thomas doubled as well.

Mars Hill won game one in the series 3-1.  A two-run double by the Panthers in the bottom of the second was all they would need to get the victory.  Peyton Thomas had a double scoring the Bobcats only run of the game.  Blake Jones had two hits for Phil Campbell.

Peyton Thomas—the Bobcats stalwart throughout the series—had his best game in game two.  He hit a three-run home run and also pitched a complete game striking out ten and allowing only four hits leading Phil Campbell to a 7-1 victory.  Colby Baker had a double for the Bobcats and Blake Jones had two hits.

Phil Campbell finished their season with a 23-11 record.