Sterling pitches Panthers past Wapello

PACKWOOD ? Senior Josh Sterling pitched a complete-game two-hitter, striking out 10, to lead Pekin past Wapello in Southeast Iowa Superconference baseball Friday.

Behind Sterling?s ace showing, the Panthers capped a wild five-game week with a 6-2 win.

?We would?ve lost a game similar to this last year,? said Pekin head coach Jeff Eeling. ?The kids have matured, and Josh has really matured. ... I?m so proud of him because I see him growing up as a young man ? more than just as a baseball player ? and handling adversity.?

Sterling said it was one of the best starts of his career.

?There in the beginning it took me a little while to get going,? Sterling said. ?I just kept hitting my spots and had great fielding behind me with my catcher [Tyson Lamb] and me communicating up front and with Graham [Wittrock] making a double play by himself.?

Like Sterling from the mound, however, it took the Pekin batters a while to get going from the plate. Five of the first six Panther batters were sent down via the strikeout as they trailed 1-0 after two innings.

?Their heads were down and I said, ?You guys have to understand that we?re going to get to their starter. ... Don?t chase his stuff, hit the fastball when it?s there for you and once you start getting to him he?ll lose it,?? recalled Eeling.

Pekin found the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning, and it was Sterling who kicked things off. The starter advanced to third base on a steal and passed ball, and Lamb drove him home for Pekin?s first run. Colton Swanson scored later in the inning on another passed ball to put the Panthers up 2-1.

The Panthers wouldn?t surrender the advantage the rest of the game, scoring two more runs in both the fourth and sixth innings.

For Pekin, the win was one day removed from its worst loss of the season, a 14-2 defeat at the hands of Albia.

?I told them to come out with some energy and have fun at this game because that?s what we need to do,? said Eeling. ?If we play hard and have fun, winning will take care of itself. It?s not about the wins and losses but about having a good time with this game.?

The message seemed to be heard loud and clear by his players. Tater Clubb couldn?t remember ever having more fun playing baseball.

?That was the funnest game maybe we?ve ever had,? said Clubb, a senior. ?We rallied as a team and finished the long week on a high note.?

Bailey Donovan went 2 for 3 with two runs scored in the contest. Swanson, Clubb, Lamb and Seth Jensen had one hit apiece.

For the first time this season, Pekin (3-2, 2-1 SEISC north) leaves the friendly confines of Packwood with a trip to Columbus Junction today.

Pekin vs. Wapello

WAPELLO ? 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 ? 2 2 3

PEKIN ? 0 0 2 2 0 2 X ? 6 6 0

PEKIN ? Donovan 2-3, 2R; Swanson 1-3, RBI, R; Clubb 1-2, 2B, 2R; Lamb 1-3; Jensen 1-3, Sterling R, Morales RBI

Pitching ? Sterling (W) 7 INN, 2H, 3BB, ER, 10 K