The Starr’s Mill Panthers opened the 2006 season with a win by defeating the Whitewater Wildcats 8-2. Andrew Robinson picked up the win for the Panthers while Whitewater pitcher Justin Carpenter was handed the loss. Ryan Haynie finished the game on the mound for the Panthers, while Jonah Jaurigue and Mike Johnson pitched after Carpenter for Whitewater. Each team had seven strikeouts but Whitewater pitching allowed nine walks and the team committed two very costly errors that extended some innings and led to Starr’s Mill runs.

Brian Fletcher and Ben Baker each had a homerun for the Panthers, while the Wildcats’ Carpenter and Heine Rivera each had a double and triple in the game.

“Our Wildcats are young but that is just an excuse. We did not play our best game and when you play against a quality program like Starr’s Mill you must bring your ‘A’ game. The Panthers are very talented and very well coached. Robinson is one of the best pitchers that we will face all year and he did a very good job holding us down,” said Coach Frank Dixon.

Across town, Sandy Creek handed Fayette County a 9-7 loss in their home opener. Sandy Creek got a two run home run from catcher Kal Cudsik on his first swing in his first at bat of the season in the first and David Buchanan hit a solo home run for Fayette County in the third. Tyler Betsill started for the Patriots and struck out four batters in four innings, but the Patriots gave up the lead after he left the mound and didn’t come back until the top of the seventh when they scored four runs to seal the victory. Betsill had four RBI for the Patriots and Brent Brewer went 3-for 4 at the plate.
Jarrell Arnold hit a solo home run for the Tigers as well and Jonathan Beale drove in two runs which gave the Tigers a one run lead. Sophomore Duncan Midkiff recorded the win for Sandy Creek, their first over Fayette County in over eight years.

Landmark Christian started the season with a huge win over Greenville yesterday, winning 17-2. The War Eagles got a ton of offense in the game, which lasted three innings, and received solid pitching from Matt Moody, who pitched two innings and gave up two runs on two hits, and Brad Miller, who struck out the side in the third. Miles King went 4-for-4 for the War Eagles with three doubles, while Trey Strickland, Nathan Hunter and Moody each had two hits a piece. Brandon Harris, a transfer from McIntosh, hit a three run homerun in his first plate appearance as a War Eagle.

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