It didn't take long for the Panthers offense to get going Wednesday afternoon against Savannah Country Day in a 6-3 victory.
    The win gives Portal High School a .500 record at 8-8 on the season and still puts the team in contention for a shot at a state playoff berth.
A three-run first inning was all the Panthers needed to coast to a win. Starting pitcher Landon Stephens threw 3 2/3 innings. He allowed four walks with three strikeouts and just one hit. Pitcher Jake Brown came in relief and threw 3 1/3 innings with two strikeouts, allowing just two hits. Brown also had a solid day at the plate hitting 2-for-3 with a run scored. Austin Brack hit .500 for the night going 2-for-4 and scored a run. Jamal Simpkins, Hector Diaz and Chase Kirkland each picked up an RBI against Savannah Country Day.
    The Panthers are now riding a two-game win streak after wins over Savannah Country Day and Glasscock County.
    In the past two games, Portal has scored a total of 16 runs, something head coach Dennis Moore said will help his team’s confidence going forward.
    “We came out strong and hit the ball well. Landon Stephens was strong on the mound for us in the beginning then we started walking too many guys in the fourth and let them back in the ball game,” Moore said after Wednesday’s victory. “Fortunately we were able to hold on at the end.”
    SCDS managed to score three runs in the fourth inning, but the Panthers didn’t allow a run for the next three innings to preserve the victory.    Up next for the Panthers, the team will face a tough 14-inning challenge as they face Jenkins County at home Friday in a double header.