It took some prodding, some pleading, and maybe even a little cajoling to get Panther Valley’s offense in full swing.

But once the Panther bats showed up, they showed up in a big way.

The Panthers Lumber Company got out of its recent doldrums and it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

Facing rival Marian in a Schuylkill League Division 3 showdown on Friday afternoon - and in desperate need of a momentum building win to head into the stretch run of the regular baseball season - the Panthers got exactly that.

Clubbing out 12 hits - half of them going for extra bases - Panther Valley rolled to an impressive 11-0, five-inning whitewashing of the Colts.

As much as the offense came to life for PV, there’s no overlooking the continued outstanding pitching of sophomore righthanded Stephen Hood. The 6-3 ace of the staff was nearly untouchable, allowing just two hits. Hood was throwing seeds with his lively fastball, while also mixing in a terrific breaking pitch. He struck out 10 in going the full route.

“My breaking pitch was really on today,” Hood said. “My main pitch is throwing the ball hard and in the first two innings I couldn’t find it. But once my curve ball started going over the plate, it all came together.”

Talk about coming together, the Panthers were driving the ball in all directions, from left, to center and to right. It was much to the delight of manager Richie Evanko who kept preaching about hitting with force.

“Coming into today, we have really been in funk. But we had a really good practice (Thursday) and we preached staying on the ball,” Evanko explained.

Indeed, the Panthers stayed with the pitches and barreled things up. Michael Pascoe surely had the biggest blast, a thundering three-run homer to left in the top of the fifth.

“It probably was the best pitch I seen all year,” Pascoe said about his home run. “It was a straight fastball. It was flat and right down the middle. I was looking for something that I could hit ... something I could drive.”

Panther Valley fueled the offense right at the start, scoring three first-inning runs. A walk to Brad Hood, and a windblown double to center by Pascoe got things started. Stephen Hood aided his pitching cause with an RBI single. After Cody Orsulak walked, Hayden Goida delivered a double chasing home two runners.

PV did some run-manufacturing in its next at bats thanks to Chase Weaver’s speed. Weaver singled, then proceeded to steal second and third, before racing home on a groundout off the bat of Brad Hood.

In the third inning, Panther Valley took advantage of an error to go up 5-0. It would score a solo run in the fourth when Weaver lashed a single, stole second, and eventually came home on a pair of wild pitches.

“I thought we did a very good job today putting the ball in play,” Evanko said. “Our last at bat was a good example of us not pulling off the pitch - and then what can you say about Michael Pascoe … he is really hitting the cover off the ball all spring.”

In the fifth inning that Evanko was referring to, Panther Valley sent eight batters to the plate. All of the damage came after there were two outs and no runners on base. It started with singles by Matt Engler and Trey McAndrew, before Weaver drew a walk to fill the sacks. Brad Hood smoked a two-run double before Pascoe unloaded his homer over the left centerfield fence.

“Give them all the credit, they’re a terrific hitting team, and they have the best pitcher in the league or maybe in all of District 11 in Stephen Hood,” summarized Marian’s skipper Tony Radocha.

COLLISION COURSE ... The win keeps the Panthers on a potential collision with Shenandoah Valley, which also won at Mahanoy Area Friday. The Panthers (10-4, 5-3) trail the Blue Devils (11-3, 7-2) in Division 3 and are headed for a potential showdown game Thursday in Shenandoah. The Panthers have a makeup game today in Weatherly, and meet the Wreckers again Tuesday at home. The Blue Devils host Marian Tuesday.

THE HITS KEEP COMING … Stephen Hood had three hits to lead PV, Weaver and Pascoe each had two hits; Goida added a double; followed by Drew Kokinda, McAndrew and Engler each with singles. For Marian, Brian Hinkle singled and Mason Gibson doubles.

TV STARS … Bob Capasso and Jeff Nietz handled the television broadcast for BRC-TV 13 and as always did a fantastic job.

LOOKING GOOD ... A big shout out to Marian assistant coach “Pillsie” Petrilyak who doubles as the ground crew for the Colts. Petrilyak has worked tirelessly to make Marian’s home field a Field of Dreams.

Panther Vy. 311 15 – 11 12 1

Marian 000 00 – 0 2 1

S. Hood and Orsulak; Bobish, Gelatko (5) and Walko. W – S. Hood L – Bobish. HR: PV - Pascoe (5th, two on)