By KYLE LOVERN

Sports Editor

NAUGATUCK – Tug Valley lost a tough home game to visiting Huntington St. Joe 8-5 Friday night at Naugatuck.

After St. Joe took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1^st inning, Tug Valley jumped ahead 4-1 in the bottom of the first frame.

David Runyon got things started for the Panthers with a single. Jordon Mounts followed with another single, then Chuckie White slashed a triple down the right field line scoring both Runyon and Mounts.

Gabe Varney smacked an RBI single to bring home White. Courtesy runner Kevin Brown came in for Varney and advanced to 2^nd base on ground out by Aaron Muncy. Then Cody McCloud knocked in Brown with a base hit.

St. Joe scored three more runs to tie the game in the middle innings.

However, the visitors scored four in the top of the final inning to take the lead.

The Panthers were only able to score one more time in the bottom of the 7^th inning and lost a tough one at home.

White and Varney each had two hits for the Panthers, while Runyon, Mounts and McCloud got the only other hits for coach Jeff Varney.

Tug Valley is now 4-14 on the season. Zack Baize was the losing pitcher in relief for the Panthers. Varney started the game for TVHs. The winning pitcher was M. Kelly for St. Joe.

Score by innings:

St JOE .. 110 110 4 - 8

TVHS … 400 000 1 - 5