Box Score Thursday, March 12, 2015 – Winter Haven, FL-- Principia did not play their best baseball today and that is the bottom line. They took on Coe College (Iowa) who boasted an impressive 4-1 record prior to today's duel. Coe was clearly the better team on this day; thus, they deserve much credit for playing a hard-fought, classy game.
Despite falling 17-1 in seven innings, there were some highlights.
Christian Thomas pitched very well, going 3 and 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run.
Bucky Brewer pitched 2 and 1/3 innings and threw with better command today as he threw a lot of strikes and did not walk or hit batters.
Offensively the Panthers struggled to find any sort of rhythm.
Parker Davidson's speed enabled him to generate an infield single in the first inning.
Ed Bargmann connected for a double in the third inning, and
Bryce Miller ripped a line drive single to right-center in the fifth inning. Davidson, Bargmann, and Miller all extended their hit streaks to three games. Aside from those afore mentioned plays, the Panthers were held hitless the rest of the game. Out of the 21 batters that were retired from Principia, Coe's pitchers combined to fan 13 of them. On the bright side,
Brett Huntley and
John Challenger both made their collegiate debuts, each getting a pinch-hit appearance in the seventh and final inning.
Overall, Coe scored 17 runs on 16 hits while committing two errors. On the flip side, Principia tallied one run on three hits and four errors. There is not too much else to be said other than that the Panthers are looking forward to practicing tomorrow morning in order to make positive strides before entering conference play. Principia begins their conference schedule this Saturday as they take on the Tigers of Iowa Wesleyan College in a double-header (9:00 AM and 11:00
AM). Look for the Panthers to come out and play with far more energy and focus on Saturday than the played with today.
