Pitchers Jonathan Hyde and Andrew Elkins combined to lead Siloam Springs to a 9-0 season-opening win against Green Forest on Feb. 27.
Hyde and Elkins pitched a combined seven innings, allowing two hits, no walks and 14 strikeouts.
Nolan Wills led the Panthers' offense with two hits in three at bats and scored three runs.
"It was great to finally get the opportunity to watch our team take the field to begin our season," Siloam Springs Coach Michael Smith said. "This group of young men has been working extremely hard preparing for this year, so being able to start 1-0 is great for morale."
Smith said with some key players out injured he had concerns with how that would impact the team's mindset.
"But a 9-0 victory clearly demonstrates our kids' selfless approach to doing whatever it takes to benefit the team," Smith said. "Jonathan Hyde, Andrew Elkins, Nolan Wills and Samuel Avery had what I believe have been their best career performances, and although the stat lines may not be abundant, their execution and poise was remarkable."
Smith also thanked his coaching staff and praised the atmosphere on opening day.
"The support that this team is getting from our community is special," Smith said. "I can not express how much it means to these kids to look up and see a crowd that large. They are proud to represent this great community."
Siloam Springs 12, Gentry 3
Blake Beckett led Siloam Springs with with three hits and Jonathan Hyde and Nolan Wills each batted in three runs in the Feb. 29 road win. The team combined for 11 hits, 11 runs batted in and 12 runs. Jack O'Brien and Bode Butler pitched 6.2 innings with a combined 11 strikeouts.
"I am really proud of our guys and their performance," Smith said March 1. "These young men are playing relaxed and, most importantly, having fun. I think this has been a key ingredient into the success over the past two games. As a coach, you want to be able to focus on the fundamentals and make the right calls in the right moment, and the team honestly has a selfless mindset that enables us to do just that. Like I told our team after last night's win, it's better to be humble rather than getting humbled. It's great to have an opportunity to represent Siloam and end the week with two quality wins."
Siloam Springs hosted Gravette on Tuesday. Results were not available at press time.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer The ball gets away from third baseman Bode Butler at Thursday's game against the Gentry Pioneers in Merrill Reynolds Memorial Sports Complex at Gentry High School.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Samuel Avery slides safely back to first base as the ball gets away from Gentry first baseman Houston Nance at Thursday's game against the Gentry Pioneers in Merrill Reynolds Memorial Sports Complex at Gentry High School.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Samuel Avery winces as he is hit by a pitch at Thursday's game against the Gentry Pioneers in Merrill Reynolds Memorial Sports Complex at Gentry High School.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Blake Beckett slides safely across home plate as Gentry pitcher Drew Nash puts the tag on him after a passed ball at Thursday's game against the Gentry Pioneers in Merrill Reynolds Memorial Sports Complex at Gentry High School.