Senior John Pichman started on the mound for PHU and worked ahead early and often. Pichman tossed five full shutout innings allowing only one hit, one walk and punching out four in his impressive outing for the win. Senior Kyle Bailey was called to the pen to finish the last two innings giving up one run with one strikeout.

Offensively, Senior Riley Degnan accounted for all five runs with a perfect 4-4 at the plate, scoring three runs, two RBI’s and four stolen bases. Helping his own cause, Pichman was also a perfect 2-2 with a double, single and a SAC RBI. Junior Carter Wilson collected two sharp singles and run scored. The Canes belted ten hits all game with Senior Dan Hollander and Senior Adam Jurco each with base hits.

After Pichman blanked CCC in the top half of the first with two of his strikeouts, the Canes started their scoring in their bottom half of the inning. Degnan’s first at bat found a hole in left field and he alertly hustled into second for the double. Degnan then stole third base and reached home as the ball went past the defense for the early 1-0 lead.

Palm Harbor got on the board again in the third as Degnan led off the inning with a single and stolen base. Jurco laced a sharp single advancing Degnan to third. Pichman then sent a deep fly ball to center easily scoring Degnan for the 2-0 lead.

With an impressive four pitch inning, Pichman kept blanking CCC. Senior catcher Mark Coleman gunned down a runner trying to steal second as PHU put another run across in the bottom of the fifth. Degnan laid down a bunt for a single and advanced to second on another stolen base. Jurco walked and Pichman singled to load the bases. Senior Brian Brown collects his first RBI of the season as he walked scoring Degnan.

With the score 3-0 coming into the sixth and Bailey pitching, Coleman threw out his another runner at second. PHU plated two more runs in the bottom of the sixth when Coleman was hit by a pitch. Senior TJ Williams came in as a courtesy runner for Coleman and advanced to second on a line drive single by Carter Wilson. Senior AJ Hrica grounded out to second further advancing Williams and Wilson to second and third. Degnan loads up on two strike pitch and with a single scoring both Williams and Wilson.

Bailey continued into the seventh inning and closed the game for the final 5-1 victory.

Palm Harbor travels to Sarasota Riverview this Friday with the first pitch slated for 7:00 pm.