There was drama at Orange Baseball Field on Tuesday night as the Panthers maintained first place in the Central Carolina Conference. Cross Clayton sent a single off the fence in centerfield in the 8th inning, allowing Neo Best to score from 1st base for the game-winning run as the Panthers defeated Northwood 3-2 in eight innings. Clayton was the hero of the game for Orange. In the second inning, Clayton hit his first career home run with a solo blast that landed in the bushes that overhang above the fence in left field. Designated hitter Connor Nordan went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in the first innings. Nordan hit his first career home run in Friday’s win over Person. Orange reliever Joey Pounds earned his first win of the season with a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two batters. Orange maintains a two-game lead in the Central Carolina Conference with a 6-1 record. The Panthers will travel to Carrboro on Wednesday, then complete the two-game series with a trip to Pittsboro on Friday.