CULVER – The NorthWood baseball team ended its regular season on a winning note Saturday.

The Panthers prevailed by a 3-2 count over host Culver Academy in the regular-season finale.

The hosts took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. The Panthers tied the game in the fourth frame on an RBI double off the bat of Payton Bear.

NorthWood then scored single runs in both the sixth and seventh innings for a 3-1 lead. Brant Mast drove in a run in the sixth with a sacrifice fly and then Jason Cripe plated a run in the seventh, also with a sacrifice fly.

Preston King got the start on the mound for NorthWood. He gave up one unearned run on three hits over 3 1/2 innings of work with eight strikeouts and three walks. Cripe relieved and got the win as he allowed two hits and one run with two strikeouts and a walk.

Sawyer Warren led the Panthers with a pair of hits. NorthWood played errorless baseball in the win.

Each team had just five hits in the well-pitched contest. The Eagles also played errorless baseball in the field.

NorthWood, ranked No. 8 in Class 3-A, improves to 19-4.

The Panthers begin postseason play Wednesday versus Angola at 5:30 p.m. in first-round action of the Lakeland Sectional.