Entering the time where wins become absolutely necessary, Plano East was able to hold serve by splitting their series with Flower Mound. 

Plano East (2-6, 6-14-1) sits in a three-way tie for last in the District 6-6A standings, but the win puts them just two games from a potential playoff spot with six games remaining. 

Taking on the Jaguars, the Panthers opened the week with a 6-4 loss on the road on April 5. Despite outhitting Flower Mound 9-7 in the game, Plano East players found themselves down 4-0 early on. The Jaguars scored all four runs in the bottom of the first inning, taking advantage of five singles to jump out to a lead. 

After the first, Plano East went to the bullpen, swapping Drew DeVillier on the mound for Drew Conner. He surrendered just two hits the rest of the game but two runs as Flower Mound was able to seal the win late. 

The Panthers cut the game to 5-4 in the fifth thanks to three hits, including an RBI single from Brayden Bergman. Brody Waid struck out and ended the rally with the bases loaded and two outs in the inning and a chance to tie or take the lead. 

Bouncing back after the loss to open the series, Plano East responded well with a 6-5 home win over Flower Mound on April 8. 

Down 5-3 late in the game, Plano East had a huge seventh inning at the plate. Six straight runners reached base for the Panthers with one out, capped off by a walk-off single from Jaxon Atchley to send the team home victorious. The Panthers had nine hits in the contest, with five coming in the bottom of the seventh inning. Dasan Harris led the way from the lead-off spot again, with two hits and two RBIs in the game. 

On the mound, Aythan Hornung and Grant Origer combined to pitch seven innings, allowing five hits, five runs and struck out six batters. 

Plano East travels to Plano on Thursday for game two of their two-game series before taking on Coppell next week in a two-game slate.

For the complete story, see next week’s edition of the Murphy Monitor. Support your community newspaper for less than $40 a year.

By Kyle Grondin • [email protected]