Brant Mast takes a cut for NorthWood Thursday night. The Panthers picked up their 19th straight win by topping host Elkhart Memorial 8-6.

ELKHART – NorthWood baseball coach Jay Sheets saw his talented team tested late in the game Thursday night.

The Panthers passed the test with flying colors to extend their impressive winning streak.

NorthWood made it 19 straight wins by picking up another Northern Lakes Conference win with an 8-6 decision over host Elkhart Memorial.

The Panthers scored two runs in their final at bat in the seventh to break a 6-6 deadlock. The pair of tallies came after the Crimson Chargers plated two runs in the home half of the sixth inning to tie the game.

NorthWood, which won its fourth game in four nights this week, improves to 19-1 overall and goes to 11-0 in NLC play.  Memorial drops to 10-12 overall and sits at 5-7 in league action.

Sheets saw plenty to like from his team despite not its best performance.

“To execute and score those two runs like we did in the seventh was huge for us tonight,” said Sheets. “A game like this is good for us. Memorial is a good team. This game tested our character and our guys responded.

“It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but we were tested late. A situation like this ones builds confidence for later. I have all the faith in the World in these guys. I’m so proud of what they have done so far and they continue to get better.”

NorthWood, which beat Memorial 5-3 back on April 26, started the seventh with an infield single by Matt Dutkowski. Payton Bear then put down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move pinch runner Brock Miller to second. Miller took third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch to give the Panthers a 7-6 lead. Travis Stephenson made it 8-6 with an RBI single.

The Panthers put another one in the win column as Vincent Herschberger fanned the final two Memorial batters in the final frame with a runner on base.

Matt Dutkowski pitched well in relief for the Panthers.

NorthWood took a 3-0 lead in the first on sacrifice flies by Herschberger and Dutkowski and a passed ball. The hosts evened the game in the home half of the first by taking advantage of a hit batter and a pair of NorthWood miscues. Brett Wilson and Matt Kloss each had RBI singles in the inning for the Chargers.

The Panthers came right back in the second with a trio of runs to make it 6-3. The duo of Jaron Mullet and Stephenson, who both had reached on walks, each scored on wild pitches. Drew Minnich drove home the third run with an RBI single.

“It was like a boxing match early with both teams trading punches,” noted Sheets. “To get that first three early was huge for us.”

The Panthers won thanks in large part to a deep bullpen. Starter Drake Gongwer did not have his best stuff and was pulled in the third inning with two outs. Dutkowski and Herschberger worked the rest of the way for the winners. Herschberger, who came on in the sixth, earned the win on the hill.

“Drake did not have his best stuff tonight, but we figured out a way to get through it,” said Sheets. “I have the luxury of a deep bullpen and that was big tonight. Our guys are very competitive. They like to compete. They would rather play games than practice.”

The trio of Dutkowski, Brant Mast and Sawyer Warren each had two hits to pace the Panthers.

Justin Walter had two hits and scored two runs for Memorial. Brett Wilson and Jordan Siddons each had two RBI for the Chargers. Wilson, who relieved in the fifth, took the pitching loss for the hosts.

NorthWood, which went 9-5 in the conference a year ago, needs just three more league wins to run the table.

Sheets, who is 61-14 in his third season, knows what a late push can do as the Panthers head into postseason play in two weeks eyeing a fifth straight Class 3-A sectional championship.

“Our guys want to win the NLC,” Sheets remarked. “That’s a goal of theirs, whether it’s by one game or by going undefeated. We know that success in the NLC can catapult us into the tourney.”

NorthWood won the junior varsity game 14-0.

NorthWood plays at NLC foe Plymouth Monday night. Memorial plays a league game at Northridge Tuesday night.

Vincent Herschberger earned the pitching win for the Panthers.