>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

PENDLETON — Imbler senior leadoff hitter Nick Thompson turned on the second pitch of the game, homering to give his Panthers an early 1-0 lead.

It looked swell. It looked promising.

But that ended the celebrating for Imbler.

From there, Pendleton thoroughly dominated the Panthers, sweeping the doubleheader, 12-2 (six innings), 18-1 (five inning).

Ouch.

“It was our first time out,” Imbler head coach Monty McIntosh said. “So it kind of showed.”

Especially in the second inning.

Walks, hit batsmen and errors from Imbler led to seven Pendleton runs. And when the Panthers struggled in the field, they also struggled at the plate, recording just three hits through six innings, before the mercy rule sealed their fate, 12-2.

Jake Noyes scored the second Imbler run in the fourth inning on a fielder’s choice.

In the second game, Pendleton scored 10 runs in the opening inning, en route to an 18-1 win that ended in five innings.

Thompson scored the lone Imbler run on a passed ball in the third inning.

“(The Buckaroos) were real patient at the plate, they hit the ball well,” McIntosh said.

“We had problems hitting batters, and a lot of walks.”

Game 1

Imbler                     100 100 —    2 3 2

Pendleton               072 102 —    12 5 0

W: Talbot. L: Thompson.

Game 2

Imbler                      100 00 —   1 2 2

Pendleton                 100 35 — 18 9 3

W: Perry. L: Cornford.