Submitted Photo Panthers first base player Gavin Schepp readies for a catch at a tournament held at Shiloh Christian High School, April 9.

The Rugby Panthers started baseball season strong, defeating the Kidder County Wolves and the Grafton Spoilers in a tournament held at Shiloh Christian High School on April 9.

The 2-0 Panthers started the tournament with a shutout over the Wolves in a low-scoring, defensive game that tested the glove skills of the Panthers’ defense.

After winning 1-0 over the Wolves, the Panthers turned their attention to Grafton, where pitcher Jacob Ripplinger came through as a batter, bringing home two runs with a single in the fifth inning. The Panthers won over Grafton 4-1.

“I was very happy with our pitching and defense,” Panthers Coach Travis Risovi said of the tournament play. “I thought for the first games of the season, we played very well. Hopefully, our bats heat up as the weather gets warmer.”

Games against Turtle Mountain High School on April 12 and Harvey-Wells County on April 14 were postponed due to weather.