The Permian baseball team clinched its series against crosstown rivals Odessa High, defeating the Bronchos 6-2 Friday at Pressly Field.
Playing in the second of a three-game series to begin District 2-6A play, the Panthers scored six runs from the first two innings combined to take a commanding lead and not look back.
Permian moved to 11-8 overall, 2-0 in district play.
“I think this series is what we thought it was going to be,” Permian head coach Tate Criswell said. “These are two good baseball teams that play hard. Of course, the series is not over.”
Odessa High fell to 10-6, 0-2.
Permian pitcher Dawson Jones pitched a complete game for the Panthers.
“He kind of got slapped in the face early with some adversity,” Criswell said. “He got knocked down but he got up over and over again, which we knew he would.”
The Panthers had ten hits and one error while the Bronchos finished with eight hits and three errors.
“We played a great game,” Jones said. “Those first two innings were fun to watch. It was fun getting hype in the dugout. It was a good game all-around. The defense behind me was impeccable. I couldn’t ask for anything more from them. I had to help them out because they helped me out.”
The Panthers won the opening game of the series 9-4 Thursday at McCanlies Field.
Both teams will finish up the series with a 1 p.m. contest back at McCanlies Field Saturday.
A triple by Permian’s Noah Solis gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Odessa High responded with two runs in the bottom of the second.
However, Jones managed to settle down and the Panthers wouldn’t allow another run from the Bronchos the rest of the way.
“I had to take a deep breath and talk to my catcher,” Jones said. “We got together and knew it was going to be fine. He kept me in line the whole game.”
The Panthers would score three more runs in the top of the second inning to take a four-run advantage.
A triple by Jax Sims scored Colby Jolly and Tito Ramirez for Permian to give the Panthers a 5-2 lead.
Sims would make it 6-2 after a wild pitch from Odessa High.
The Bronchos were held scoreless in the second inning as the Panthers’ lead stayed at four.
The Panthers were unable to extend their lead at the top of the third inning as both defenses began to take over.
That continued into the bottom of the third as neither could get a run in the third.
Odessa High pitcher Zorian Del Real struck out two Permian batters in the top of the fourth and Permian couldn’t get a hit as the Bronchos managed to keep their deficit at four-runs.
Odessa High’s Omar Hernandez took over on the mound in the fifth inning for the Bronchos.
The Panthers maintained their lead as Odessa High struggled to get hits.
Permian managed to load the bases in the top of the seventh inning with two outs and JP Olivas up to bat.
However, his high-fly ball was caught for an out as Permian left three on base.
It wouldn’t make much of a difference as Permian’s outfield took care of business and the Panthers held on for the series-clinching win.
“That’s a good baseball team we played,” Odessa High head coach Jerod Couch said. “We’re giving away too many runs. We gave away runs on Thursday. We had a chance to get out of the first inning but then had an error. If you mess up on a play, Permian’s going to take advantage and they did.”
