ROSEBURG – The Roseburg Indians held an early lead against South Medford on Tuesday at Legion Field, but the Tribe had to try and comeback late to steal a win at home against the Southwest Conference leader. The Indians had the game-tying run on base in the seventh inning, but fell short of the upset as the Panthers won 5-3 to remain undefeated in conference games.

Roseburg (12-6; 8-5 SWC) took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a two-out single by Jett Black. The advantage didn’t last long, though, as South Medford put up four runs in the third inning off of Roseburg starter Jace Stoffal.

The Panthers sent nine hitters to the plate in the third, led off by a Jaron Emerson double to right field. Emerson later scored on a fielding error to tie the game at 1-1. Roseburg’s sloppy inning led to three more runs for South Medford. One run scored on a balk by Stoffal and another came in on a ground out that should have been the third out of the inning.

South Medford (14-3; 11-0 SWC) added another run in the fourth inning and led 5-1 going to the sixth inning. The Panthers pulled starting pitcher Ricky Boortz in favor of Brandon Lettendre, who didn’t make it through the frame.

Lettendre issued a one-out walk to Cody Johnson. The Roseburg senior would score moments later after a pickoff throw by catcher Jack Thompson got away into deep right field allowing Johnson to round the bases. The Indians added another run on a throwing error that should have ended the inning.

A walk to Zack Mandera and a single by Cody Johnson in the seventh inning put the game-tying runner on base for the Indians. Doran Gillespie finished the game by grounding into a 1-6-3 double play that cut Roseburg’s comeback short.

Gillespie finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and Garrett Russell also recorded two hits. Cody Johnson reached base all four at bats and scored twice.

Jalen Owens went 2-for-3 for South Medford and Zac Ankeny went 2-for-4.

Stoffal took his first loss of the season on the mound for Roseburg. Boortz earned the win and Jacob Melton pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief to pick up the save.

Roseburg will look to climb back up the standings when it hosts Sheldon for a doubleheader on Saturday. Game one of the twin bill begins at 12 p.m. Tune in for coverage starting at 11:45 a.m. on CBS Sports Radio 1490 The Score or watch online at 541radio.com.

SMHS 004;100;0 – 5;9;3
RHS 010;002;0 – 3;9;2
Boortz, Lettendre (6), Melton (6) and Thompson. Stoffal, Mandera (7) and Jacks. W – Ricky Boortz. L – Jace Stoffal (5-1). S – Jacob Melton.