Jupiter, Fla. - Meridian Panthers exploded behind the plate in Thursday's Game of the Day to shut out Elite Squad National 9-0 at the National Team Championships in Florida.
Meridian came out strong with four runs in the top of the second inning after the first had held both teams scoreless. A single, error and wild pitch combined to advance two Meridian runners to scoring position with no one out. Samarion Ward (1-for-2) tallied the second hit of the day with a single to score Colin Houck (1-for-2). Ward and Cade Brown (0-for-2) came home on a single from Mason McCree (1-for-2), who then scored on an Elite Squad error to take a 4-0 lead.
Grant Garrett (1-for-2) drew a leadoff walk in the top of the third and was followed by an Elite Squad error and a single from Bernard Moon (1-for-3) to load the bases. Garrett and Landon Stripling (1-for-3) scored on a second error and Moon came in on a wild pitch to put Meridian up, 7-0.
The final two Meridian runs came with one each in the fourth and fifth innings. Garrett hit a triple in the top of the fourth and scored when Stripling followed suit and landed on third himself, ultimately being stranded.
A Garrett Lambert (1-for-2) double and pair of walks loaded the bases again for Meridian in the fifth, which allowed the ninth and final run to come in after Ali Banks (0-for-2) was hit by the pitch.
Ethan Puig (1-for-1) and Eduardo Fernandez (1-for-2) both hit singles for Elite Squad National, leading the team in hits.
Landon Stripling (1-0) earned the win for Meridian Panthers with no runs on one hit and one strikeout during the three innings that he spent on the mound. The loss went to Eduardo Fernandez (0-1) for Elite Squad National. Fernandez threw for seven runs on four hits, tallied three errors and struck out three batters.
The game ended after five innings of play due to the tournament's mercy rule. Meridian advanced to 3-0 and Elite Squad, 1-2, for the tournament.