Maintaining offensive surges helped the Permian baseball team build confidence against Odessa High in District 2-6A play Thursday at McCanlies Field.
Quick defensive recoveries led to fruitful at bats as the Panthers defeated the Bronchos 14-4 to open the three-game series on a strong note.
“Before you look at being the best team in the state, you’ve got to be the best team in your city first,” Permian baseball coach Tate Criswell said. “We need to win this series, so winning Game 1 was a good step in doing so.”
Gus McKay struck out two batters in the top of the first before his team recorded three hits in the bottom of the frame, bringing in four runners to give Permian the lead.
Zorian Del Real got the offense going for Odessa High in the top of the second with a deep triple to right field.
He helped the Bronchos trim the early deficit by reaching home plate on a groundout at first.
Odessa High couldn’t keep the offensive momentum flowing as Permian saw its advantage grow on its next turn at bat.
Xavier Melendez knocked a line drive single to right field, scoring Peyton Gregory and Jake Glasman to extend the Permian lead by two in the bottom of the second.
A sacrifice fly from McKay then brought in Sebastian Bravo, giving the Panthers a six-run advantage heading into the third frame.
Things slowed down through the third inning, as both teams held each other off the scoreboard with quick defensive plays, leading to a resurgence from the Odessa High batters.
The Bronchos recorded three base hits in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs to put some pressure on the Panthers.
“We know that every time we take the field, something good and something bad is going to happen each and every time,” Criswell said. “We expect to respond from adversity and welcome it.”
Permian (15-3 overall, 4-0 district) responded with a six-run burst in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by two base hits from Bravo, including a two-run double that scored Caden Stiles and Hayden Abbott heading into the fifth.
After holding the Bronchos off through the fifth inning, Permian ended the game with an RBI single from Gregory that brought in Stiles in the bottom of the sixth.
“I’ve always been working on the outside pitch,” Gregory said. “Seeing it actually happen in game, it was pretty awesome.”
It was Permian’s 29th straight victory at home.
The series between the crosstown rivals will continue at 4:30 p.m. Friday, with Odessa High (9-7-1, 1-3) hosting at Pressly Field.
“Wherever we’re playing, we just want to go out and win each pitch,” Criswell said. “If that’s here, that’s fine and if it’s at another field, we’re going to try to do the same thing.”
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
