MIDLAND Each rendition of the three-game series between the Odessa High and Permian baseball teams had a common theme.
The Panthers applied pressure by jumping out to a quick lead in all three contests.
That played a big role, as the Panthers earned the series sweep over the Bronchos with a 10-6 win Saturday at Momentum Bank Ballpark.
“Anytime you sweep somebody it’s big, to not only win the series but pick up that extra win,” Permian coach Tate Criswell said. “Any extra win, when you get down to the last part of April, that’ll matter.”
Permian had two runners on base when Caleb Boswell stepped to the plate in the top of the first.
He made the most of the opportunity, hitting a single to left field that brought in Jake Glasman to open the scoring.
Callan Warren extended the lead with an RBI single to deep right field on the next at bat, giving the Panthers a boost as they found an offensive rhythm.
After a triple from Gus McKay brought in Boswell and Warren, he scored on an error at home plate to put Permian up by five at the end of the first.
The Bronchos had a response when Adrian Estrada bunted into fielder’s choice in the top of the second, scoring Isaac Rodriguez.
A solo homer from Permian’s Xavier Melendez in the bottom of the second pushed the lead back to five before the Panthers cooled off.
Odessa High added another run with an RBI single from Jayven Gonzales in the fourth to cut the Permian lead down to four runs before the Panthers regained their rhythm with a four-run sixth inning.
Things got closer in the top of the seventh when the Bronchos loaded the bases, with three consecutive RBI singles giving them some late momentum.
Permian went on to close out the game with a groundout at first, holding off the late comeback.
Criswell said the early offense helped give his pitching staff confidence in every game of the series.
“I think the biggest thing that you gain from that is your pitcher can go out and not be too fine and nibble around the strike zone,” Criswell said.
Permian (17-3 overall, 6-0 District 2-6A) will start a three-game series against Midland High at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at McCanlies Field, while Odessa High (9-9-1, 1-5) will face Midland Legacy at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Ernie Johnson Field in Midland.
“You’re supposed to just play the game, don’t play the opponent,” Odessa High coach Josh Hulin said of his team’s next series. “We’re just going to show up and play the game the best we can, we’ll see what happens.”
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
