COLE EIGENHUIS threw six strong innings in Benicia’s win over Bethel.

Cole Eigenhuis pitched six solid innings and Jason Toumbs hit a home run as Benicia High’s varsity baseball team beat visiting Bethel, 10-4, in the Solano County Athletic Conference opener for both teams Wednesday.

The 10 runs were a season high for the Panthers (4-3, 1-0 SCAC), who have won two straight after losing three in a row.

“Hopefully this is something we can carry over for the rest of the year,” said Benicia manager Jim Bowles.

The Panthers batted around in a six-run second inning. A leadoff single by Isiah Saguar, a walk to Xian Covington-Hunt and a single by Ethan Payne led to the first run of the day. Jack Bowles followed with a two-run double to center and Caleb Van Blake also delivered a two-run double. An RBI single by David King made it 6-0.

Leading 7-2 in the sixth, Josiah Peterson stole third and scored on a throwing error, and Toumbs followed by crushing a 3-0 pitch over the fence in left to make it 10-2.

“The coaches gave me the green light and I was just looking for something I could drive,” said Toumbs of Benicia’s first home run of the season.

Eigenhuis scattered seven hits, struck out eight and needed only 78 pitches to record his first win of the year.

“He was real sharp for having not pitched in a couple weeks,” Bowles said. “And he was real economical with his pitches.”

Nine different Panthers had a hit on the day. Saguar, Peterson and Covington-Hunt each scored twice.

“It was huge to get our offense kick-started,” Toumbs said.

The Panthers play at Vanden on Friday. The Vikings slipped past American Canyon, 6-5, in their SCAC opener on Wednesday.

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