Pekin hangs 49 runs on Columbus

COLUMBUS ? Hits were plentiful and runs were even more bountiful as Pekin rocked Columbus twice as part of Tuesday?s doubleheader.

The Panthers scored a combined 49 runs to beat the Wildcats 26-6 and 23-0.

?Columbus is not a strong team, but we didn?t play down to their level and we still had to go out, put the bat on the ball and throw strikes,? said head coach Jeff Eeling.

On a long list of Pekin offensive stars, Bailey Donovan led the way as he went 8-8 on the night. He hit a total of nine RBIs on four extra-base hits and even hit for the cycle in the opener ? the first player to do so under Eeling.

Colton Swanson was also 4-4 in game one, Tater Clubb was 3-5 with a pair of doubles and Josh Sterling earned the win on the mound after four innings of work. Sterling gave up three hits and struck out eight.

In game two, Clubb gave up just one hit and shut out Columbus over four innings.

Alongside Donovan, Derek Morales was 3-4 with two RBIs, Hunter Maeder was 2-2 and Bridger Wolcott hit two doubles and drove in four while going 3-3.

The Panthers improve to 5-6 overall (5-3 SEISC north) and will travel to Mid-Prairie for non-conference action tonight.

Pekin vs. Columbus (1)

Pekin ? 8 4 4 10 X X X ? 26 22 3

Columbus ? 0 0 2 4 X X X ? 6 3 5

PEKIN ? Clubb 3-5, 2 2B, 2RBI, 3R; Donovan 4-4, 2B, 3B, HR, 5RBI, 4R; Maeder 1-2, RBI, 3R; Morales 1-2, 3BB, 5R; Sterling 3-4, 2 2B, 3RBI; Swanson 4-4, BB, 2RBI, 2R; Wittrock 3-5, RBI, R; Wolcott 1-3, 2RBI, R; Allsup 4R; Jensen 3R

Pitching ? Sterling (W) 4 INN, 3H, 3BB, 8K, 2ER

Pekin vs. Columbus (2)

Pekin ? 5 7 10 1 X X X ? 23 21 1

Columbus ? 0 0 0 0 X X X ? 0 1 2

PEKIN ? Clubb 2-4; Donovan 4-4, 2B, 4RBI, 4R; Maeder 2-2, BB, 2B, RBI, 4R; Morales 3-4, BB, 2RBI, 3R; Slaney 1-1, 3BB, RBI; Sterling 1-2, BB, RBI, R; Swanson 1-3, 2B, 2R; Wittrock 2-4, BB, 2B, RBI, R; Wolcott 3-3, 2 2B, 4RBI, 2R; Allsup 1-1, 4R; Jensen 1-1, 2R

Pitching ? Clubb (W) 4 INN, 1H, 5BB, 5K, 0ER