Featuring six sophomores and one freshman in his starting lineup, Bill Miller says this is the youngest roster he’s ever had in his 37 seasons as baseball coach at Pleasure Ridge Park High School.
But, boy, does the future look bright.
Several of Miller’s youngsters showcased their talents as the Panthers rallied for a 5-3, 10-inning victory at rival Butler on a cool and rainy Monday afternoon.
“We have a bunch of good young kids right now, and we’re really struggling in our junior and senior classes,” Miller said. “But they play hard, they listen and they’re getting better every day.”
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After a 4-7 start, the Panthers have won 15 of their past 21 games to improve to 19-13 as the regular season winds down. Monday’s victory moved PRP to 9-1 against Sixth Region competition, with its only loss coming to Fern Creek, 4-3, on April 21.
“We could be a one-and-out in the district or region,” Miller said, “or we could win the whole thing.”
Sophomore shortstop Jalil Akbar was among the young stars Monday, going 3 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored.
He said the rough beginning to the season made the team tougher.
“It’s been a rocky road,” said Akbar, whose teammates showered him with water bottles as he conducted a postgame interview. “We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re improving every game. If we work hard, we can get to state.”
Butler (17-12) built leads of 2-0 and 3-1 but couldn’t hold them. The Bears stranded 10 runners over the final six innings, including leaving the bases loaded in the ninth.
“That’s something we’ve struggled with all year is execution and big hits,” coach Josh Wolff said. “It bit us again tonight.”
Austin Wise’s leadoff home run in the fourth gave the Bears a 3-1 lead before the Panthers rallied.
Tavian Dones – PRP’s lone senior starter – led off the fifth with a single and freshman pinch-hitter Jarrett Troklus followed with a double. After a force out, sophomore Noah McDonald knocked in a run with a sacrifice bunt and Akbar tied the score with an RBI single.
Butler pitcher Austin Semar, a Bellarmine University signee, lasted eight innings and allowed six hits while striking out six.
“He gave us everything,” Wolff said. “We had opportunities, and we let him down.”
PRP finally broke the deadlock in the 10th, as Tyler Redmon delivered a one-out single and McDonald was hit by a pitch. Akbar followed with a single that scored courtesy runner Tyler Martin, and McDonald came home on a throwing error for a 5-3 lead.
Meanwhile, PRP freshman David Aguilar was solid in five innings of relief, striking out five. Butler put the potential tying runs on base with one out in the bottom of the 10th, but Aguilar (4-0) struck out Blake Stoffer and got Bailey Poindexter to fly out to end the game.
Aguilar is among four freshmen who saw action for the Panthers on Monday.
“We’ve come a long way because we were so dumb as baseball players – not so much talent-wise but knowledge of playing the game,” Miller said. “They’ve made great strides, and they’re going to continue to.”
Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.
PRP 000 120 000 2 – 5 8 3
BUTLER 110 100 000 0 – 3 9 1
WP – Aguilar (4-0). LP – Moore (3-3). HR – Wise (B). 2B – McDonald (PRP), Troklus (PRP).
