Hammond, IN– Almost every pitcher was on their A-game in Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Southland Vikings. The Panthers’ struggles against the Vikings continued as they now fell to 1-3 with their last win coming in the opener. Panthers however were able to limit the Vikings to four hits in the loss.

Hunter Niksch toed the rubber in his first start since the five scoreless inning outing against the Oilmen. Niksch was looking to get more run support this time around. Unfortunately, he got none. Niksch was credited with two hits and one run. That run came in the fourth as he hit a batter with the bases loaded. Niksch once again got through five and walked three and struck out five. 

The Panthers extended their lead to three off of Anthony Scanlon in his first inning of relief. Jimmy Gurgone singled to bring in Matt Merk and Chris Domo followed with a SAC-fly to left to bring in Gurgone. Domo’s two RBI’s came without even getting a hit as he had an unorthodox statline of 0-1 with a K, a HBP, a sac-fly, and two RBI’s. Scanlon settled in and finished the game and did not allow a hit in the final two innings of work. 

The Panthers brought in their lone run courtesy of Jason Ballard doing all the work by singling, stealing second and third, and then scoring on a wild pitch. He went 1-4 on the day.

Jorgie Vazquez and Matt Maloney were exceptional for the Vikings. Vazquez got the start and went five innings allowing no runs on just two hits. Maloney went four and allowed one run. He struck out four. 

BOX SCORE- 

http://thenorthernleaguestats.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/boxscores/20230622_xqmc.xml