The Pinewood baseball team got off to a strong start in the program’s first state championship series.
The Panthers split the first two games with Northwood Academy, prevailing 3-1 at home Monday and then falling 10-0 at Northwood Tuesday.
The outcome of the SCISA AAA best-of-three championship series was determined Thursday in a game played after press time.
“We played really well in the first game, but not in the second,” Pinewood coach Evan Powell said.
“I think nerves could have factored in when we went to their place. Also, Northwood played really well. But we are going to regroup and hopefully be hitting on all cylinders for the final game.”
Pinewood (21-8) has played some of its best ball in the playoffs.
After receiving a bye in the first round, the Panthers only needed two games to eliminate Wilson Hall in the second round and swept Hammond 2-0 in the third round.
However, Northwood (24-8) also won four straight playoff games to advance to the finals.
Tuesday’s game at Northwood marked the fifth time the Panthers have faced the Chargers this season. Northwood held a 3-2 advantage entering Thursday’s game.
“Each time, it was a high-profile game so I think with each team having a day to rest, both will be prepared,” Powell said.
Pinewood had a fast start in the championship series as shortstop Austin Heflin blasted a pitch over the center field fence in the bottom of the first inning Monday. The Panthers then added runs off two hits by LaQuan Gilliard.
In the third, Chris Morgan walked and then scored when Gilliard hit a long single.
In the fifth, Gilliard hit a double to plate courtesy runner Daniel Poaps, who came in to run for catcher Jairus Schumann.
The Chargers began a rally in the top of the sixth. Brandon Stoots got things going with a single.
Brandon Hester reached on an error and Chris Cook then drove in Stoots with a single. Pinewood got out of the inning on a double play and a line drive.
Alex Doucet got the win on the mound after pitching five scoreless innings and giving up the run in the sixth.
Heflin relieved him four batters into the sixth and surrendered no hits or runs.
Gillard finished 2-for-2 at bat with the two RBIs. Heflin reached base three times. Cook was 2-for-3 for Northwood.
Pinewood wasn’t as sharp Tuesday when Northwood’s bats were fully charged and errors were costly for the Panthers.
Hester pitched the shutout. Cook led all batters with three hits.

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.