The Panthers run to the field to cheer on Easton Pixler’s home run. . Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Stoked by a lineup full of upperclassmen – many who had played prominent roles during the last Montezuma-Cortez foray to the state tournament – the No. 7 Panthers turned a 5-1 deficit into an 11-6 victory over No. 10 Elizabeth at McAndrew Field in Cortez on Saturday, sparking scenes of jubilation for the hundreds of fans lining the backstop in support of their home team.
In action earlier in the day, M-CHS downed No. 26 Jefferson Academy (6-18) by a 9-3 final.
M-CHS sophomore Easton Pixler celebrates a home run as he makes it to second base. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
The Panthers run to the field to cheer on Easton Pixler’s home run. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Montezuma-Cortez senior Samson Lein runs to third base. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Montezuma-Cortez junior Parker Conrad’s hat flies off as he catches a ball in the outfield. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Panthers junior Cory Carver makes it safely to third base. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Panthers junior Parker Conrad catches a fly ball in the outfield. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
M-CHS junior Darren Daves looks to home base from second during the Panthers’ second regionals game, against the Elizabeth Cardinals. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Montezuma-Cortez senior Samson Lein pitches the ball during the Panthers second game of the day against Elizabeth. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Montezuma-Cortez sophomore Connor Rosenbaugh winds up for a pitch during Saturday’s first regionals game, against Jefferson Academy. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
M-CHS junior Cory Carver checks for the ball in the outfield as he races toward third base against Jefferson Academy. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Panthers junior Parker Conrad makes it to second base against Jefferson Academy. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
M-CHS junior Bodie Stiegelmeyer swings hard against Jefferson Academy. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Panthers first baseman junior Jaris McDonald jumps high to catch a throw after a bunt hit but the Jefferson Academy runner is safe. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Montezuma-Cortez junior Evan Woody leads off first base during the first of the Panthers’ regional games on Saturday. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Montezuma-Cortez junior Darren Daves connects with the ball during the Panthers’ first regionals baseball game, against Jefferson Academy. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
M-CHS pitcher sophomore Connor Rosenbaugh throws the ball to first baseman junior Jaris McDonald to catch an off-base runner. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
