Seniors Jacobsen, Bobos lead Bell Creek to dominating victory

Bell Creek’s Canon Bobos slides into the plate scoring one of his three runs in the Panthers 9-2 win against Cambridge Christian. Photo by Lily Belcher

By Lily Belcher, Staff Writer

RIVERVIEW – First base coach Kavin Kroll got the post-game celebratory ice bath Friday afternoon after Bell Creek took a 9-2 victory over Cambridge Christian. Kroll was filling in for the Panthers’ head coach Frank Burke, who was out sick. But, the players said he coached just like Burke.

Kroll’s pregame message to his team: “I told them to be aggressive.”

Bell Creek’s (15-5) offense took the note and got an early lead, putting up two runs in the second, but the Panthers truly gained momentum in the second half of the game.

“I feel like once we start, once we get going, we’re on fire the rest of the game,” senior Canon Bobos said.

Three consecutive base hits in the fifth led to three more runs. Bobos scored his second run of the day off a base hit by junior Jovanni Almonte. Almonte had also driven Bobos in for the Panthers first run in the second inning.

The Lancers (10-12) put up a pair of runs in the sixth, when Brody Bellomo (2-for-3) tripled in a run and scored on a Brent Ferris ground ball, prompting Kroll to visit Panthers starting pitcher Craig Jacobsen on the mound.

“I was going through some adversity and I didn’t deal with it how I wanted to,” Jacobsen said. “I should have stayed calm.”

Panthers senior Craig Jacobsen earned the win, working 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out five. Photo by Lily Belcher

Jacobsen credits the win to the rest of his offense, as Bell Creek (15-5) answered with four more runs in the bottom half of the sixth. A series of base hits and stolen bases extended the Panthers’ lead to seven.

Batting over .500 for the season, Bobos is coming off a relatively rough week of practices and games, putting up a three-straight, one-hit performances.

“I think it’s like I’ve been working on trying to control my swing, (keep it) down,” Bobos said.

While he leads the team with 29 hits, he’s been practicing finding the hole for a base hit rather than swinging for the fences every time.

“Last year, it was either home run or nothing,” Bobos said. “This year, I’m working on base hit, base hit, base hit and it’s helping me out.”

Bell Creek senior RHP Craig Jacobsen.

Jacobsen pitched one out in the seventh, but was ultimately relieved by freshman Kyle Beauchamp, who closed out the game for Bell Creek.

Jacobsen said the team has evolved since the beginning of the year, as seniors have fully stepped into their role as leaders.

“We’ve been having those leaders helping the rest of the team really progress,” he said.

Kroll said capitalizing on momentum has been key for the Panthers.

“This team, if they come out ready to hit and are aggressive and are having fun, they’re an unstoppable team,” he said.

Bell Creek and Cambridge Christian square off again as the Panthers visit the Lancers home field at Skyway Park, Monday at 4 p.m.