Staff Reports

ELKMONT – The Collinsville Panthers clinched their first baseball state quarterfinal appearance in 25 years Thursday after sweeping Elkmont in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs. The scores were 7-0 and 15-14.

In the first game, fifth-ranked Collinsville (26-5) scored six runs in the top of the second inning to take control early. They added a run in the third for the final.

Gavin Lang earned the win after working six inning on the mound. He allowed just two hits and three walks with 13 strikeouts. Sylas Adams tossed a scoreless inning, giving up no hits or walks with a pair of strikeouts.

Lang also led the Panthers at the plate by going 2-for-3 with a double, a run, and four RBIs. Jeremiah Killian homered and drove in two runs. Jacob Niles added a hit, a walk, and two runs. Noah Johnson finished with a hit.

Mason McAteer managed a walk, a run, and a RBI. Colton Pettus and Carson Clanton both scored a run.

In the second game, Elkmont rallied from a 14-9 deficit with five runs in the top of the seventh, but Collinsville closed out the series with a run in the bottom half for the final.

Lang went 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, a walk, four runs, and four RBIs. Killian collected a pair of hits, including a homer, with two walks, three runs, and five RBIs. McAteer came away with a pair of hits, including a double, with a walk, three runs, and a RBI. Niles also had two hits, including a double, with a run.

Johnson delivered a hit and three RBIs. Bronner Jones doubled and walked twice.

Killian earned the win after working 2/3 of an inning. He allowed a hit and a walk.

McAteer gave up an earned run on a hit with a walk. Brantley Daugherty pitched four innings and surrendered five earned runs on five hits with three walks and a strikeout. Adams tossed 2 1/3 innings and gave up five earned runs on three hits with five walks and a strikeout.

Collinsville hits the road again next weekend in the third round at third-ranked Gordo. Gordo swept Glencoe in other second-round action on Thursday. The scores were 7-0 and 6-5.