OBSERVER Staff Report

SOUTH DAYTON — Pine Valley powered past Ellicottville, 12-3, in a Section VI CCAA Division 2 East baseball game at Pine Valley High School, on Saturday. After battling back and forth with Ellicottville in the first five innings, Pine Valley blew the game wide open with a seven run sixth inning, leading them to their 12-3 victory.

Corey Ellis was on the hill for the Panthers (3-11, 3-7) in the win. Ellis pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up just three runs, on three hits, three walks and struck out 10.

Aside from the strong pitching performance, the Panthers lineup got hot and scored 12 runs. After a back and forth battle throughout most of the game, Pine Valley took a 5-3 lead into the sixth inning. The Panthers built on their two run lead and scored seven runs. The offense was led by Kevin Hunt going 3-for-4 with a double, five stolen bases and scored three runs; and Brennan Sercu went 2-for-3 scoring two runs and was hit by a pitch.

“At 5-3 the game was still within striking distance for Ellicottville,” said Pine Valley head coach Chris Buczek. “So for our number nine hitter to get up and hit a double, and for our team to feed off of that. It was neat to see them have that and enjoy that, it was just a lot of fun.”

Ryan BeKay was tasked with facing Pine Valley from the mound, BeKay went five innings, gave up 10 hits, walked two, hit four batters and struck out five.

Steven Rowland went 1-for-3 with a double and a RBI for Ellicottville on the day.

Pine Valley will try to add a non-league game against Clymer next Thursday before the playoffs.