SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – The Panthers traveled to Springfield, IL, Thursday evening to take on Robert Morris University in a doubleheader. The Panthers played great baseball and were able to walk away with two victories. They defeated the Eagles of Robert Morris in the first game, 9-1, and won 13-4 in the second.
Game 1Sawyer Grow got the start in the first game for the Panthers and threw exceptionally well. He threw a complete game, going seven innings. He allowed just one run on four hits and three walks while striking out two along the way. He was around the plate the entire game and did a nice job of mixing up his pitches and keeping the Eagles off balance at the plate.
For the first time all season the Panthers scored at least one run in every single inning.
Ed Bargmann hit in the leadoff spot per usual and went 3-4 with a double in the series opener.
Gavin Thomas mirrored Bargmann's 3-4 game and added two doubles of his own.
Aleq McMullin was 2-3 with a pair of doubles and a walk.
Dallen Russell connected for a double and
Parker Tibbetts ripped a line drive single in a pinch-hit at-bat in the final inning to record his first ever collegiate base hit.
The Panthers were in control the whole game from start to finish. Every single top half of the inning the Panthers leadoff hitter found a way on base to start the inning. In fact the Panther leadoff hitters each inning were a perfect 6-6 with a walk, and four of those hits were doubles.
The Panthers collected twelve hits altogether and did a phenomenal job of stealing bases and advancing runners. The Panthers' situational hitting was better in these two games than in any other games this season. Principia played a solid all-around game and picked up a much-needed victory.
Game 2The second game of the series was another well-played game by the Panthers.
Hunter Mehring was the starting pitcher and delivered a strong performance. He dealt five innings and surrendered just one earned run. This was by far Mehring's best outing of the year and he looked to be far more comfortable on the mound tonight which was great to see.
The Panthers remained hot at the plate as they connected for 15 hits in the final game.
Ed Bargmann led the way with three hits including a triple in the seventh inning.
Parker Davidson had a pair of base hits to go along with stellar defensive play.
Gavin Thomas continued pounding the ball and added a pair of hits.
Aleq McMullin was on fire and had three hits including a triple.
Jeff Ross reached base safely in three of his four at-bats and smacked a line drive base hit down the third base line in the fourth inning.
Once again the Panthers did a very good job of doing the little things well this game and played their brand of baseball from start to finish. They were selective at the plate and were aggressive on the base paths all night long. Timely hitting and better approaches at the plate tonight led to scoring 22 runs in just 14 innings of play.
Tonight was a testament to the talent and potential this team possesses in all facets of the game. The Panthers proved that they are capable of playing lights-out baseball so now it is just a matter of establishing some consistency.
In part of tonight's pregame talk, Head Coach,
Larry Frank, stressed the importance of having fun tonight and playing with joy and freedom. It was apparent that the Panthers played these games with much more joy and freedom which translated into good baseball.
