Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 ELSAH, ILL. – On Friday night the Principia Panthers squared off against the Red Devils of Eureka College (President Ronald Reagan's alma mater). Eureka took the first game of the double-header, 4-2; however, Principia regained focus and won the second game, 17-9.
Game 1In game one of tonight's series
Dallen Russell received the start on the mound and went 6.0+ innings. He allowed three earned runs on six hits and six walks, while managing to strike out 12 batters along the way.
Gavin Thomas came in after Eureka's lead off hitter reached base in the top half of the seventh inning on a base on balls. Thomas fanned two batters but due to an errant throw on what was a potential inning-ending double play ball, allowed the games deciding runs in the top half of seventh inning. Principia was unable to manufacture any runs in the bottom half of the seventh inning as they were having a tough time making adjustments at the plate in game one.
Hunter Mehring knocked in both runs in the home-half of the fourth inning on a single right field. Although the Panthers pitching staff pitched well in game one, stagnant offense proved to be the downfall in this game. The Panthers were held to just six hits in the game and with the exception of Mehring, were unable to execute when they had runners on base.
Game 2Game two was a different story as the Panther's bats got an early wake-up call after proving to be dormant in the first ballgame. The Panthers posted 12 runs in the first three innings, six in the second and another six in the third inning.
Sawyer Grow was the starting pitcher and did not allow a run until the fourth inning when the Red Devils tacked three runs on, and then scored two runs in each of the next two innings. Grow pitched well as he surrendered four earned runs on seven hits over six innings. He was credited with the win while
Parker Tibbetts came in and threw the final three innings to acquire the save for the Panthers. Tibbetts also pitched well, allowing two earned runs on two hits in three innings of work out of the bullpen.
Though Principia scored twelve runs through the first three innings, the bats were in hibernation mode from the fourth inning through the seventh inning as no runs were scored and very little happened that was noteworthy offensively during this stretch. However, the Panthers produced five runs in the eighth inning to extend their lead to 17-9.
Ed Bargmann hit leadoff for the Panthers per usual and got them going. He had three hits in the latter game.
Parker Davidson contributed with two base hits of his own. Davidson also collected four RBI.
Hunter Mehring stayed hot at the dish, picking up three more hits including a double and a pair of RBI.
Aleq McMullin stepped up and had a huge night and became the first Panther this season to hit a homerun. He also picked up three RBI on two hits.
Christian Thomas was able to find his grove at the plate, too, connecting for two hits, including a clutch double and three RBI.
Tomorrow the Panthers venture to Clayton, MO, to take on the Griffins of Fontbonne University at Shaw Park in another double-header. The game are slated to be played at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. If the Panthers aspire to come out on top tomorrow they will need to do a better job of 'winning every pitch' and playing a full game. They proved tonight that they are a potent team capable of having big innings. Now the test becomes putting up runs consistently throughout the game while also aiming to throw more strikes and making the routine plays in the field. Thank you for all who came out and supported the baseball team tonight despite the frigid conditions!
