Newberry Baseball Tops PKY

The P.K. Yonge Blue Wave suffered their third straight loss in a district baseball contest Thursday against the Newberry Panthers, a  9-3 defeat in the first meeting of the teams since March 2019.

Both teams looked evenly matched in the first inning, with smart base running allowing a tied score of 1-1. For the Blue Wave, freshman Colt Kramer got the start. Despite throwing two strikeouts, a wild pitch allowed the Panthers to capitalize first. Junior Desmond Taylor started for the Panthers. He also recorded two strikeouts, though a dropped third strike allowed Tyler Belleville to sprint to first. Although he was later called out, Darius Medley, who was on the third, had just enough time to sprint home.

After a lead-off single, steal, and throwing error by P.K. Yonge, Tristan Woodrow scores the first run of the game for Newberry on a passed ball. pic.twitter.com/F0BTTZIbau

— Quinn Hitchcock (@quinn_hitchcock) April 10, 2025

Second-Inning Blues

The top of the second gave the Panthers all the momentum. Kramer faced eight batters, walking two and tallying no strikeouts as Newberry’s bats came alive. Junior Brody Joyner crushed a double that nearly reached the back of the fence. Taylor then hit a monster double along the third base line to send two runners home. Sophomore Tavis Honeycutt then hit a two-run single. Although the Panthers were only up four runs, it was the beginning of the end for P.K. Yonge, who was never able to climb back.

Desmond Taylor hits one over the third baseman’s head and down the line for a 2-run RBI double. pic.twitter.com/NveS9I21tf

— Quinn Hitchcock (@quinn_hitchcock) April 10, 2025

No Momentum

The common theme throughout the game was that the Blue Wave could never build momentum. A prime example of this was the bottom of the third when Micah Gratto ripped a beautiful triple and was brought home on a sacrifice fly by Belleville, but just as the Blue Wave began to rally, the next three batters recorded outs snuffing a potential comeback. Meanwhile, the Panthers remained consistent, continuing to widen the gap.

After a triple by Micah Gratto, Tyler Belleville drives him in with a single to cut the deficit to 3. pic.twitter.com/Zcetuj0Wt5

— Quinn Hitchcock (@quinn_hitchcock) April 11, 2025

Up Next

P.K. Yonge (10-12) will now shift its focus to the postseason. The Blue Wave hosted their last regular-season game Friday for senior night, though the game was cut short due to lighting. Their first district tournament game is Monday at 6 at Interachen (12-8). Meanwhile, Newberry (11-7) has a bye for the first round before competing Tuesday at 7 p.m. against the winner of Ocala Trinity Catholic (8-16) and Crescent City (6-15).