Lapeer West’s baseball team headed into Brandon and proved they are the team to beat in the Flint Metro League.
In a doubleheader that took two days to complete, the visiting Panthers swept the Blackhawks, taking the opener 7-1 and the nightcap 4-3.
The Panthers remained undefeated in the league at 6-0, while Brandon fell to 15-10 overall and 5-3 in the league.
In the first game, Lapeer West pitcher Will Jostock proved to be too much for the Brandon baseball team to handle. Jostock allowed only one hit and struck out 14 as West earned the win.
First baseman Jacob Cinader tallied the only hit for Brandon with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning, putting the Blackhawks up 1-0.
However, the Panthers answered with two runs in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead, and Jostock slammed the door on any hopes of a Brandon comeback.
The second game was suspended with Brandon ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning. It was resumed May 11, with the Panthers coming from behind to earn the victory.
Derek Cowell had a good showing in a losing cause for the Blackhawks, throwing a seven-hitter and going 2-for-3 with one RBI.
The Blackhawks tuned up for the Lapeer West showdown with a doubleheader win against host Holly May 7, winning the opener 13-0 and the nightcap 4-2.
Roy Reynolds had another solid outing for the Blackhawks in the opener, shutting out the Bronchos and allowing only two hits. Cinader went 2-for-3 at the plate for Brandon.
In the nightcap, Tony Kraydich went 2-for-2 to help led the Blackhawks to the win. Andy Harding went 5-for-8 combined in the two games with three RBI.