In consecutive starts, Carlos Torres went from nearly unhittable to getting knocked around on the mound as the Hun School got the better of Torres on Tuesday

Perkiomen School's Zach Smith is forced out at second base in the first inning Tuesday.

afternoon.

            The visiting Raiders chased Perkiomen School's ace pitcher in the fifth inning, then rolled to a 14-2 six-inning victory in a non-league game at Baker Field. 

            Zach Smith registered two of the three hits for the Panthers (8-3 overall), who had a two-game winning streak snapped as the defense committed four errors.  "We played well last week," head coach Ken Baker said. "But we went in the tank today. That was some uniquely bad baseball on our part. Our hitters looked at too many fastballs down the middle, and I'm very disappointed in our defense."

            The coach described the Hun School, a private high school located in Princeton, N.J., as his team's toughest opponent of the season. Baker lauded the opposition's offense as unusually aggressive.

            With five professional scouts positioned behind home plate to watch Torres pitch, the Raiders jumped on him early, turning around his 92 mph fastball. They scored twice in the first and third innings. Dan Melnick, the No. 4 hitter, drove in a run during both rallies.

            The Hun School chased Torres, who has committed to pitch at Lehigh University next season, in the fifth inning.  "I think Carlos pitched alright," Baker said of Torres, who was lifted after 4 2/3 innings. "I liked the way he responded. I felt like he kept battling, which is a good sign."

            According to the coach, the Panthers need to resolve their catching situation quickly. On Tuesday, three players combined to commit throwing errors and allow three runners to score from third base on a wild pitch.  "When things start to go wrong, everyone relies on the catcher to settle things," Baker said.

            Erick Padilla started the game behind the plate for the Panthers. He was replaced by Tony Holden and then Garrett Knowles. Padilla and Holden have split the playing time so far this season, according to the coach.

            In his previous start, on Wednesday April 17, Torres came one out short of a no-hitter in a 4-0 victory over The Hill School. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out 11. Perkiomen School scored twice in the first inning on two walks and a hit. Taylor drove in one of the runs with a sacrifice fly.

            Smith delivered an RBI double in the second inning. Chris Pow added a run-scoring hit in the fourth inning.

            The following day, David Smith led the Panthers to 6-0 non-league victory over Episcopal Academy. Smith went the distance on the mound, scattering four hits and issuing one walk while striking out seven.

            Owen Taylor doubled and scored in the third inning. In the sixth inning, Jose Aviles walked, stole second and scored on Jeremy Amaro's second hit.

            Perkiomen School, which resumes its schedule Thursday with a home game against the Phelps School, will also get a chance at redemption in a road game against Westtown School at 2 p.m. Saturday, according to Baker.

            "We'll see where things stand then," he said.