The Middle Township High School baseball team got a big-time effort from junior pitcher Dave Hand, who allowed just one run over 4 2/3 innings as the Panthers pulled off a mild upset in beating Buena, 4-2, Tuesday afternoon.

Hand, who has seen most of his action on the JV level this spring, was pressed into action with Middle facing a string of four games in four days, including a state playoff game on Friday.

Hand, who entered the game in the third inning, held Buena scoreless until tiring in the seventh when he walked ina run with the bases loaded and two outs. Ace Scott DeCecco then relieved Hand and got the final Buena batter to fly out to right field.

Brandon Naperstek and Brian Palumbo each had RBI hits for Middle (11-6) in the win. Buena dropped to 17-9.

More coverage of the game can be found in this week's editions of the Gazette.