BETHEL — In a key conference game that demonstrates the growth of this year’s Pam Pack squad, Washington came from behind to beat North Pitt, 7-6, Tuesday night in Bethel. In a game it had to have to stay alive in the conference race, the Pack improved its conference record to 3-2.

North Pitt came out swinging in the bottom of the first inning off of junior starter Cody Godley. The Panthers scored three runs off of a triple, double, single and the only Pack error of the game.

The Pack fought back in the top of the third scoring two runs when sophomore Tyler Harrell walked, was moved up on a sacrifice bunt by junior Riley Davis, and scored on a base knock by junior Matt Black. Black moved up on a base hit by Godley and scored on sophomore Fred Holscher’s single.

Godley started the bottom of the third and gave up a single and a walk, which ended his night on the mound. Junior Logan Little came on and gave up a walk and single, which plated the two Godley runners, giving North Pitt a 5-2 advantage. Further damage was averted as Little struck out two successive batters to end the inning.

Little manufactured his own run in the top of the fourth inning when he reached first on an error by the third baseman. He stole second base and advanced to third on poor Panther throws and scored on a passed ball to make the score 5-3.

The Panthers answered right back in a similar fashion. Little walked the lead-off batter, who promptly stole second and took third on an overthrow to second. The Panthers plated their last run on a passed ball to make the score 6-3 after four full innings.

Washington scored two runs in the top of the fifth when Black walked with one out. Godley followed Black’s walk with a double down the left-field line. Black held at third. Holscher drew a walk loading the bases and senior Neil Jennings followed with a huge single in the hole between third and short, scoring Black and Godley.

After five frames, North Pitt held a marginal 6-5 lead.

Junior Tripp Barfield led off the top of the sixth inning in grand fashion. He caught a belt-high fastball and hit it deep into the cool, evening air. When it landed, it was beyond the left field fence for the Pack’s first home run of the year. Barfield’s blast tied the score at 6-6. The Pack went quietly in the rest of its half of the inning.

The Pack turned to Barfield on the mound to close out the Panthers. After a lead-off double and a sacrifice bunt, Barfield struck out the next batter and induced a fly ball to center to strand a Panther at third base and end the inning.

In an exciting finish, the Pack scored one run in the top of the seventh to take their first lead of the game at 7-6. After a Godley ground out, Holscher singled to reach base. Jennings and Little then walked to load the bases. Junior Nick Everette laid down a perfect squeeze bunt on the first-base line to score Holscher easily. After the throw home eluded the catcher, Jennings attempted to score, but was cut down at the plate. A fly ball ended the Pack half of the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Barfield struck out the first batter, hit the second batter, then induced a fly ball to center and ground out to short stop Godley to end the game.

Washington, which committed just one error, continues to play well defensively.

The Pack now turns its attention to a Friday meeting with Farmville Central. It will be another important game as Washington continues to battle its way up the conference standings.