Destin Marlins lose squeaker to Davidson Panthers

The Destin Marlins dropped a close one, 8-7, Wednesday afternoon to the visiting Davidson Panthers of Crestview in middle school baseball action.
Davidson jumped on the board in the top of the first on a home run shot and an error for a 2-0 start.
Destin answered in the bottom half with Michael Haynes reaching on an error. Trey Marshall singled, and Tyler Kinard ripped a double to score Haynes for a 2-1 game.
In the second, the Marlins took a slight lead with Harrison Freeman and Drew Pfeiffer each knocking singles and scoring on a base hit to right center by Al Alford.
In the top of the third, Davidson took another one out of the park for a a run and then another run slipped in on an error for a 4-3 go-ahead.
Destin tied the game in the bottom of the third with Kinard smacking one over the center-field fence for a 4-4 mark.
In the top of the fifth inning, Davidson’s Dakota Dean ripped a double and then scored on a home run blast by Drew Gibbon for a 6-4 game.
Destin came back in the bottom with three runs for the lead. Kinard walked and Cody Moore reached on an error. Josh Little singled to left field and Kinard scored. Freeman got first on an error and scored. Pfeiffer knocked a double, and Moore scored for a 7-6 advantage.
In the top of the sixth, Davidson got a hit and scored on a passed ball to tie the game.
In the seventh, Davidson connected for one hit and a run to take the lead.
In the bottom half, Destin’s Kinard got around to third for the Marlins but was left stranded along with any hopes for a win.
Kinard and Marshall pitched for Destin. Kinard struck out one and Marshall five.
Up next for Destin is a 3:30 p.m. game Monday against the Bruner Spartans of Fort Walton Beach.