Box Score ELSAH, ILL. -- In a three game conference series with Eureka College the Panthers dropped all three. In game two the Panthers almost pulled off a come from behind victory. In a back and forth game that ended just after midnight the Panthers played tough.
Down 4-2 heading into the sixth inning the Panthers rallied to regain the lead 5-4.
Christian Thomas lead off the inning with a walk and ended up at third base after two stolen bases and then scored on a fielders choice off the bat of
Zack Becker.
Spencer Clevenger singled and
Kendall Shoemake walked to load the bases. Back to back hit by pitches from
Dallen Russell and
Wiley Jones drove in two runs. Eureka College answered with three runs in the top of the 7th to retake the lead 7-5. The Panthers again rallied to put the winning run on base.
Wiley Jones leadoff with a double and
Scott Ross followed with a walk. Both runners advanced on a flyout out from
Christian Thomas. Robert Barnalce walked to load the bases. Eureka's closer was able to strike out the next Panther batter for out number two. With two outs and the bases loaded
Spencer Clevenger hit a smash to Eureka's second baseman who couldn't handle the ball which allowed Wiley to score from third base, but
Scott Ross was thrown out at the plate to end the rally and the game. Offensively, the Panthers were lead by
Spencer Clevenger and
Gavin Thomas. Spencer finished the game 4 for 5 and
Gavin Thomas finished 2 for 5.
Scott Ross pitched a strong 5 innings, allowing only 2 earned runs, and striking out 8.
Dallen Russell came in relief and picked up the loss. After a shaky 7th inning Dallen settled in pitching 4 effective innings.
In games 1 and 3 Eureka outplayed the Panthers running away with the games 15-1 and 16-4. The Panther pitchers struggled hitting spots in those games and defensively too many errors were committed to stay in the ball game.
