PV overcomes tough start, beats Volcano Vista

ALBUQUERQUE – The Volcano Vista Hawks certainly made Piedra Vista ace Chase Silseth work, but the right-hander ultimately had the last laugh in the Panthers’ 6-4 come-from-behind victory in tonight's 6A state quarterfinals at Santa Ana Star Field.

Silseth’s pitching line was bizarre: four runs allowed on five hits and seven walks over 4 2/3 innings with 10 strikeouts. He also served up two home runs and threw 124 pitches.

Things looked good for the Hawks (17-10) early. Luke Baca blasted a solo home run in the first inning, and Diego Cortes added a solo shot in Volcano Vista’s three-run second.

But after falling behind 4-0 after two innings, Silseth refused to let the game get away.

In addition to his pitching, the senior went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs to help the Panthers (22-7) advance to a semifinals matchup with Rio Rancho at 3 p.m. Friday.

Deylan Pigford’s RBI triple highlighted a three-run third inning, and the Panthers struck for three more runs in the fourth. Nate Swarts’ two-run single gave PV a 5-4 lead, and Silseth’s triple down the right-field line added insurance.

Alex Kuhn took over for Silseth in the fifth and did not allow a hit over the final 2 1/3 innings.

The Panthers' pitchers collected 14 strikeouts in all.