The Crestwood Panthers playoff hopes were snuffed out in their final home game on Tuesday as they fell to the Southland Vikings at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights in seven innings.  

The game followed a similar pattern to Monday’s game as the Vikings put six runs up in the first three innings. From there, the Vikings would maintain their advantage eventually settling with a final score of 9-5.  

Justin Schassburger got the start and pitched four innings giving up six runs striking out three. Those three stirkeouts gave Schassburger 56 strikeouts on the season, which is a new Panthers’ single-season record.  

“I think he did well enough to keep us in the ballgame.”

Head coach D’Vante Glenn said after the game. 

While the Panthers were held scoreless through the first four innings, their bats woke up in the fifth loading the bases and scoring three times. Alex Las was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded before Jimmy Gurgone singled in Horacio Cabralez. Maurey Garrett scored on the same play thanks to an error by left fielder Chris McDevitt.  

The Panthers scored two more runs in the ninth inning on singles by Joshua Aguiniga and Garrett. However, that was not enough on this day.  

The loss eliminated the Panthers from Northern League Playoff contention. However, Glenn made it clear after the game that the Panthers will still play hard and work to finish out the season strong.  

“We want to go out there and have some fun.” Glenn said, “Expect to see a lot of surprises and good Panthers baseball.”  

The Panthers next matchup comes on Wednesday with a doubleheader against the Joliet Generals at Lee Pfund Stadium in Carol Stream, Illinois.

For the full box score, visit the Northern League Pointstreak page: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=577480