South Medford (15-10) struck early and often, and the Panthers has Ashland (17-7) playing catchup all day.

In the bottom of the first inning, South Medford right fielder Brady Breeze picked up a run batted in (RBI) on a double to score Jimmy Sporer. Then he scored himself on an error by Ashland first baseman Vince Cammarota’s error giving South Medford a 2-0 lead after one inning.

Steen Fredrickson pitched a complete game for the Grizzlies, and allowed four earned runs over six innings.

South Medford starting pitcher Caleb Bell was strong in four innings of work. He only allowed four hits and one earned run.

Ashland was held off the scoreboard until the top of the fourth inning. The Grizzlies got an extended inning after an error by Panther third baseman Will Cooney let Carter Glick advance to first, and Cammarota was hit by a pitch. After both runners advance on a wild pitch, Tommy Hulick picked up two RBI on a double to deep left center field to tie the game at two.

South Medford starting pitcher Caleb Bell was strong in four innings of work. He only allowed four hits and one earned run.

In the fifth, Ashland continued to be on the offensive attack. Aaron Scott started the inning with a walk and was pushed over to second on a sacrifice bunt by Max Montgomery. Eric Carlson singled up the middle, pushed Scott to third base, and advanced to second on the throw. Bryce Rogan hit a sacrifice fly to score Scott to give Ashland a lead, and the lead was extended by Nick Sanderson’s single to bring Carlson home.

South Medford wouldn’t back down; with a 4-2 deficit in the bottom of the fifth, they struck back. With the bases loaded, Brandon Lupton hit a two RBI single to the right side to tie the game at four with two innings of play.

After reaching second base with only one out in the top of the sixth, Cammarota could not be brought home by either Jose Perez or Scott, who both struck out.

In the bottom of the inning, the Panthers regained the lead. Austin White started the inning by reaching on a bunt, and was sacrificed to second base on a bunt by Jakob Perry. On the next play, Cooney hit a single to left field. Montgomery let the ball past him in left field, and White scored.

Entering the seventh and final inning, the Grizzlies were down one. After gaining two quick outs, Rogan kept the Grizzlies alive with a single, and an error by Lupton on a ground ball by Sanderson pushed Rogan to second. Glick came up to the plate looking to tie up the game, but he was stopped on a great play by shortstop Cole Carder. The game ended with the Panthers prevailing 5-4 over the Grizzlies.

South Medford’s have won four in a row, and currently sit as at fourteenth in the OSAA division 6A Power Rankings. They hope to stay in the top sixteen, so they can host a play-in game.

 Ashland has now lost four of eight, and has dropped to third in the 5A rankings. Up next for the Grizzlies is a double header at Eagle Point (3-15) on Saturday.