Peake BMW (St. Paul’s) pitcher Chris Smith threw five shutout innings and drove in the game’s first run in a 4-0 victory over Northshore Wednesday at Ned Eades Field during Northshore Summer Baseball League action.

Peake BMW was 4-5 at press time, while the Panthers were 5-1.

Smith, who will be a senior next school year, allowed two hits, while striking out five, walking three and hitting one. He said his fastball and changeup were working the best for him. He talked about his outing. “I felt like I threw a couple balls in the dirt, walked a couple people, but I felt like I was pretty much in control,” Smith said. “I settled down as the game went on and got a little bit better as the game went on.”

Smith also did a good job of pitching his way out of jams. In the first inning, Trey Rickrode singled, but a bad pickoff throw allowed him to get to third base with one out. In the second frame, Smith walked two consecutive batters Jacob Corbin and Kyle Deckwa and Steven Gaines put down a perfect bunt single. But Smith was up to the task once again, striking out the next batter and getting a force at third to end the threat. After retiring the side in order for the third and fourth innings, Smith hit Gaines to start the fifth and he went to second on Travis Herrin’s sacrifice bunt. After an out, he walked Chris Miller before escaping with a ground out.

While Smith was on the mound, Northshore stranded six base runners, four in scoring position. For the game, the Panthers left 11 men on base and eight in scoring position. Smith said when he is in a jam, he tries not to worry about it.

John Gremillion relieved Smith and pitched two scoreless innings of one-hit ball for the save. He struck out four and walked three.

Northshore sent Shane McKinley to the hill. He had the task of pitching around four errors in his six innings and the Panthers had six miscues overall. McKinley allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits with nine strikeouts and two walks. McKinley struck out the side in the second inning. Gaines relieved McKinley and allowed one unearned run in his one inning.

Northshore coach Rick Mauldin said he was disappointed with the six errors.

“It’s not because we’re 5-1 now and we lose the perfect record, but what upsets me is that if the kid (McKinley) would’ve pitched a no-hitter. If they would’ve played a flawless ball game, I’m looking up at that scoreboard, that says five errors, but that’s not right. That’s (six) errors,” Mauldin said. “When you beat yourself, that’s what bothers me. You can’t do that. I give St. Paul’s credit, they hung in there and they did what they needed to do to win the ball game.”

Peake BMW’s offense got going in the third inning. With two outs, Aaron Allain reached on an error. Smith was next and he hit a blooper to right field. The fielder dove for the ball, but couldn’t come up with hit. The ball got past him. Allain scored and Smith made it to third with an RBI triple and Peake BMW led 1-0. Drew Francis made it 2-0 on an RBI single, scoring courtesy runner Dane Stubbs.

Peake BMW tacked on another run in the fourth. Christian Trent led off with a walk and went to second on a wild pitch. With two outs, Tanner Rainey came through with a clutch RBI single to make it 3-0.

In the seventh, Peake BMW added to its lead. Dylan Long reached on an error. Courtesy runner Stubbs stole second and went to third on Tanner Rainey’s sacrifice bunt. Stubbs tallied on John Gremillion’s sacrifice fly.

Northshore mounted a rally in the seventh. Nick Ledet walked and Rickrode singled to start the inning. After a strikeout, McKinley drew a base on balls, which brought the potential tying run to the plate. Gremillion came back and struck out the last two batters to end the game.