Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 JACKSONVILLE, ILL – On Tuesday afternoon the Panthers journeyed to Lenz Field in Jacksonville, Illinois, to take on the Illinois College Blueboys in a doubleheader. The teams split the two games, with the Blueboys prevailing in the first game, 11-1, while the Panthers ran away with the second game, 10-4.
Game 1Aleq McMullin was the starting pitcher in the opening game and pitched four innings. He allowed seven runs, though just three of those were earned.
Bucky Brewer took over the duties on the mound the fifth and sixth inning and gave up four runs, with two of those runs being earned. The Panthers did not play particularly well in the field in the first game and there were several plays which could have and should have been made. The Blueboys hit the ball well, so they deserve credit for coming out swinging and executing at the plate.
The Panthers pieced together seven hits throughout the game but were only able to push across one run in seven innings.
Ed Bargmann and
Aleq McMullin each had a pair of base hits, while
Gavin Thomas,
Dallen Russell, and
Connor Coyne also contributed with one hit apiece.
Game 2Parker Tibbetts got the nod in the latter game and pitched very well considering this was his first ever start. He went five innings and allowed four hits, two earned runs and struck out two. Though he struggled with command at times, walking five batters along the way, he did a nice job of pitching out of a couple jams which was huge for the Panthers.
The Panthers were much more aggressive at the plate the second game and recorded 11 hits in seven innings. The "Hose Bros," also known as Gavin and
Christian Thomas, each had multi-hit games. Gavin lead the way with three base knocks and Christian was right behind with two of his own. The Panthers put together a well-balanced attack on the offensive front as eight of their nine starters contributed with hits.
Dallen Russell came in and relieved Tibbetts in the sixth inning and retired the Blueboys in order, 1-2-3. He struck out two and made short work of the Blueboys in the sixth.
Gavin Thomas came in and closed the door in the seventh inning, also retiring each of the three batters he faced.
This was a much needed victory for the Panthers, and it was great to see the change in attitude and performance between the first and second game. Everyone contributed and helped the team pick up the win in the second game, and the Panthers were clicking on all cylinders.
The Panthers will look to take the momentum from this win into their weekend series against Blackburn College. The Panthers will host the Beavers of Blackburn College this Friday at 6:00 p.m. before traveling to Carlinville to play at Blackburn Saturday at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
