Justin Perrin had a strong game for the Knights, going six innings and leaving due to pitch count with the game tied.

The Panthers struck for a lone run in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead, but that was short-lived, with Ike plating five runs in the third.

It was a big inning for Spencer Gray, who led off with a single and came around to score on Jake Harvey’s 2-run base knock, which also brought in Jeremy Carlson. Drake Gens followed with a frozen rope double to bring in Elmquist and Harvey scored on Drew Williams’ RBI single. Gray came up again, hitting a single to right that scored Gens, but Perrin was called out attempting to score on a play at the plate to end the inning.

Perrin looked as if he might make that lead hold up, but Saegertown had other ideas.

Eisenhower’s Justin Perrin delivers a pitch during Wednesday’s Region 3 contest against visiting Saegertown. Perrin pitched six strong innings for the Knights.

With one out in the fifth, Josh Weaver connected on an RBI single, followed by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Dillon Steiner and another RBI single, this one by Chase Leech, bringing the Panthers within one run. Weaver attempted to scored on the play as well, but a strong throw from Gray in right field nabbed him at the plate to keep the Knights in front.

A one out RBI single by Alan McGill tied the game at 5-5 in the sixth, setting the state for a dramatic seventh.

Gens came in to relief Perrin on the mound in the seventh and got one out before Steiner hit an infield single to give Saegertown the lead at 6-5. With two outs, Ryan Sherry connected on an RBI single to give the Panthers an insurance run, which turned out to be critical.

Showing no quit, Harvey led off the bottom half of the seventh with a walk and immediately stole second base. Gens followed with a grounder to short that was throw away, allowing Harvey to score with Gens ending up at second base with nobody out and the Knights trailing 7-76.

Pitcher Wesley Price responded, however, striking out the next three batters in order to preserve the win for the Panthers.

Eisenhower shortstop Drake Gens throws to first base to complete an out during Wednesday’s game against Saegertown.

– – –

SAEGERTOWN (7)

McGill 4-1-2-1, Price 4-1-0-0, Rhoades 3-1-1-0, Palmer 2-1-0-0, Weaver 2-1-1-1, Steiner 3-1-1-2, Steiner 3-1-1-2, Leech 4-0-3-2, Offi 3-1-1-0, Sherry 3-0-1-1, Totals 28-7-10-7

EISENHOWER (6)

Pascuzzi 4-0-0-0, Carlson 3-1-0-0, Elmquist 4-1-1-0, Harvey 2-2-1-2, Gens 4-1-1-1, Perrin 4-0-0-0, Williams 4-0-1-1, Smelko 4-0-1-0, Gray 2-1-2-1, Totals 31-6-7-5

Saegertown 010 031 2 – 7

Eisenhower 005 000 1 – 6

2B – Rhoades (S), Leech (S), Gens (E); WP – Price; LP – Gens