Despite suffering their first loss of the season, the PECI Panthers retained the top seed in the Bay of Quinte’s playoffs this week.

The Cats picked up a split in their double header at Melrose last week. In the opening game, the Panthers downed the St. Paul’s Falcons 10-3.

But in the second game, PECI surrendered three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning as the East Northumberland Blue Dragons shaded the Panthers 5-4. PECI finished the regular season with a 3-1 record to lead the Bay of Quinte’s AL division.

In the opener, Cohen Bedore cracked a two run double in the first as part of a three run inning and the PECI never looked back. Hank Martin also had a run scoring hit.

In the fourth, PECI tacked on another four runs. Everett Vader drew a walk and was chased home by a Easton Vanhecke double. Mr. Vanhecke came around to score courtesy of a Bennett Valiquette base hit.

Mr. Valiquette took the hill for PECI and cruised to his first win of the season, keeping St. Paul’s off balance throughout the contest.

In the second game of the afternoon, PECI emptied its bench and looked good to best the Blue Dragons for a second time this season until ENSS’s last opportunity to bat.

Ethan Thompson, who had been cruising in relief, got squeezed at the plate by the umpire and a combination of a couple of walks and a bleeder through the infield was enough to allow ENSS to get past PECI.

PECI are due to hook up with Nicholson today at Melrose in the Bay of Quinte Quarterfinals. First pitch goes at 2 p.m.