Early on in the baseball season, it’s always important to start fast.

That’s true, whether it’s getting early wins to boost a team’s confidence or in an individual game to set the tone for the rest of the contest.

On Tuesday, Panther Valley was able to do just that against Schuylkill League Division 3 opponent Weatherly. The Panthers (3-2) scored five runs in the first inning to propel them to an 11-0 victory over the Wreckers in five innings.

It was a cold day at Panther Valley High School, but the Panthers’ bats heated up quickly in the first. After a pop out by the PV leadoff hitter to start the inning, the offense got going with the next four Panthers coming through with hits. All four scored in the inning, with Aaron Miller and Wyatt Zimmerman collecting RBIs during that span.

The Panthers would tack on another run in the first to make it 5-0. Joining Miller and Zimmerman with RBIs were Josh Robin and Mark Kokinda. In all, PV scored five runs on five hits.

“Throughout the season, and it’s early, I’ve really liked our approach at the plate,” said Panthers head coach Rich Evanko. “We’ve been hitting the ball hard and in play. At times, hits haven’t fell for us, but today they did.

“It’s just encouraging to see our approach and us hitting the ball this hard early in the season. We’ve also done a good job of being patient, getting in a hitter’s count and then getting a good solid swing on the ball. Again, every game I’ve really liked our approach at the plate.”

The PV offense picked up where it left off in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs in the second to gain an early eight-run advantage. The big play of the inning — perhaps the play of the game — came with the fourth batter of the inning, Bradley Buzzard. With one on, Buzzard crushed a fastball to left field that easily cleared the outfield fence to give the Panthers an 8-0 lead.

“Bradley (Buzzard) has worked so hard, harder than any kid I’ve coached since his sophomore season. He’s always in the weight room working,” said Evanko. “He’s just gotten better every year and that’s because he works. He doesn’t mind staying after practice to work on his craft, and you can see the results.”

Panther Valley came to play offensively, but it was also equally as good from the mound, thanks to an exceptional effort from pitcher Mason Goida. Goida gave up just two hits in four innings with seven strikeouts.

The senior was a top pitcher for the Panthers a season ago and was expected to anchor the PV pitching staff coming into 2019. So far this season, he has not disappointed.

“Mason is a gamer, he did his thing today. He always gives his best on the mound, he’s a smart pitcher that can kind of pick up on the other team’s tendencies and then go to work,” said Evanko. “The way he pitched today is what we expect from him, that’s what we expect from him all year.”

The Panthers put the game away in the bottom of the fourth, adding three more runs, as Miller, Buzzard and Robin added RBIs. In the top of the fifth, Miller pitched in relief of Goida, striking out the side to complete the 10-run rule victory.

LEADERS ... For PV, Buzzard led the way with three hits and three RBIs; Miller added two hits and three RBIs; Robin added three RBIs and one hit; and Gavin Garcia added two hits. For Weatherly, Jeremy Moser and Ben Ramirez had the only hits.

MOUND MAYHEM ... The Panthers offense went through a lot of Weatherly pitchers, as the Wreckers used three different pitchers, giving up 11 hits in five innings.

Weatherly 000 00 - 0 2 2

Panther Vy. 530 3x - 11 11 1

Moser, Fairchild (2), Zuberi (4) and Ramirez; Goida, Miller (5) and Taras. W - Goida. L - Moser. HR: PV - Buzzard (2nd, one on).