The fifth-ranked Kingsley-Pierson baseball team proved they belonged with the high ranks of 1A baseball with a win over top-ranked Remsen St. Mary’s on Saturday. The Panthers beat the Hawks 7-4 in Remsen as part of the annual Marv Thelen Memorial Tournament.
Kingsley-Pierson was on a mission right away on the offensive end against the state’s top team. The Panthers got going with three runs in the first inning followed by four runs in the second inning. Head Coach Taylor Doeschot says confidence was key for his guys early at the plate.
That offensive explosion went hand-in-hand with a strong start on the mound from sophomore Kevin Wright. Wright went five innings allowing just one hit and five walks in the win. Coach Doeschot says Wright has proven to be a strong pitcher and will get better once he reaches full command of his pitches.
The Hawks had the Panthers’ number last year beating them in three matchups with the biggest win coming in a run-rule victory in the state semifinals. Coach Doeschot says beating the Hawks this year shows they have what it takes to run with the top teams in the state at any point.
If the Panthers are going to continue to compete at the top, Coach Doeschot says they will still need to learn and grow from their games even when they beat a team like Remsen St. Mary’s.
Kingsley-Pierson went on to win the tournament beating Humboldt in the final by a score of 12-9.
