The Pinnacle Panthers got back to the diamond last week when they welcomed in the Piute Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds used a huge second inning to put the game away in five, 15-3.

The Panthers ended their 2023 season with a 2-16 overall record going 0-12 in region play, ending the season in the No. 18 spot in the final RPI, and missing the playoffs. Piute, on the other hand, ended in the No. 3 position, and fell to the eventual State Champions Wayne in the quarterfinals.

Piute put up nine runs in the second and then another five in the third taking a 14-0 lead into the bottom of the inning.

Joey Howell came up to bat with runners on first and third and sent a hard grounder to center for a double driving in Kaydence Romero. Bryson Shumway came up to bat next sending a fly ball to left driving in Hernan Nunez and Howell to put the score at 14-3.  Piute would add one more run in the fifth and after holding the Panthers off the board in the bottom of the inning took the 15- 3 win.

Howell collected a hit, a run, and one RBI for Pinnacle. Shumway earned one hit and a pair of RBI’s and Dominick Huitt also registered a hit in the loss.

On the mound, it was Brody Howell with the start going three innings giving up 14 earned runs on 10 hits while striking out three. Joey Howell came in for the final two innings with one run on one hit and striking out two.

On Monday the Panthers will be back on the field to face Freedom Prep Academy. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m..