Craig Thurber

Royal Valley has been in some tight games this season but come out on top more often than not and one key reason has been the play of senior, Craig Thurber. Thurber who plays third base and pitches for the Panthers had a big week last week as he was 8-14 from the plate, earned a pitching win and save, also.

Craig and his Panther teammates muscled together a sweep of fellow Big Seven team, Santa Fe Trail with 7-3 and 5-3 wins. In the 7-3 victory it was Thurber highlighting things as he pitched a complete game, going the distance only giving up three runs on four hits, while walking six and striking out 12 to earn his second win of the season. He helped his own cause in the game as he was 2-2 from the plate with a pair of runs scored, two RBI, a triple and two walks.

He added to that with a only a 1-4 performance in the 5-3 Panther win, but his one hit was big one, as he blasted his first home-run of the year. Thurber finished the game with a run scored, pair of RBI’s, walk and his home-run.

His week only improved with that performance against Santa Fe Trail as early that week he helped Royal Valley split a double header with St. Mary’s. Craig in the Panthers win went 3-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and a double, while coming in to pitch the final one and a third innings to earn the save and preserve a 12-9 win. He also went 2-4 in with a run scored in the Panthers loss to St. Mary’s that day.

Panthers are off to a 4-2 start thus far this season through action last week and Craig Thurber will be a staple on the squad this season a key to their success.