Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 LINCOLN, ILL. – The Panthers hiked up to Lincoln, IL, to play their final two games of the 2015 season on Saturday afternoon against the Lincoln Christian Red Lions. It was Senior Day at LCU as they celebrated their four seniors; however, the Panthers spoiled the party as they stole both games from the Red Lions. The Panthers won in a nail biter, 2-0, in game one and then carried the momentum into the second game to trounce the Red Lions, 8-2 in the season finale for both teams.
Game 1Gavin Thomas was the starting pitcher in the first game and was working on short rest. He showed no signs of fatigue though as he pitched a seven inning, complete game. Thomas was brilliant all afternoon as he shut out the Red Lions while scattering six hits, three hit batsmen, and one walk throughout the game. Thomas recorded five strike outs which improved his season total to 47 on the year in 57.2 innings pitched. The Panthers committed four errors behind Thomas but still managed to keep the Red Lions off the scoreboard in the initial game of the series.
Principia was held in check through the first six innings of the ball game. In the seventh and final frame they were able to score two runs which was all
Gavin Thomas needed in order to seal the game.
Hunter Mehring led off the seventh inning and worked the at-bat into an appealing 3-1 hitters count. He finally got a fastball in his wheelhouse the very next pitch and was able to put a great swing on it. Mehring crushed the ball and sent it sailing well over the fence in right center before trotting around the bases after delivering his most clutch at-bat of the season. After Mehring launched his first homer of the year, the Panthers were able to add an insurance run later in the inning when
Bryce Murray stole second base and
Connor Coyne advanced home on the throw to second.
Parker Davidson was the only Panther to record a multi-hit game as he had a pair of base knocks in the contest. This proved to be a great team win and the Panthers carried the momentum well into the season finale.
Game 2After securing the first game of the series thanks in part to some late game heroics, the Panthers aimed to come out firing on all cylinders and put the game out of reach early in the game. They did just that as
Hunter Mehring pitched his best game of the season as he dealt six innings allowing just one run (unearned), walking four, and striking out five.
Gavin Thomas led the way offensively as he connected for a pair of hits.
Parker Davidson,
Aleq McMullin, and
Bryce Miller were the only other Panthers to record a hit in the second game. The Panthers were able to score a run in the first inning and then added on to their 1-0 advantage in the fourth frame as they picked up another two runs and then extended their lead in the following innings.
David McClelland entered in the seventh inning and pitched the final inning of the season for the Panthers. The Panthers won in convincing fashion, 8-2 in the season finale.
The Panthers ended their 2015 season on a great note as they were able to sweep the Red Lions. The Panthers received excellent starting pitching in both contests and also strung together timely hitting in both games. These wins boosted the Panthers record to 11-24 on the year.
Brief Recap of the 2015 SeasonAs previously mentioned, the Principia Panthers concluded their 2015 campaign by finishing 11-24 which matched their win total from the 2014 season. The Panthers played fewer games in the 2015 season including five less conference games this year due to the new format of the SLIAC and the creation of divisions within the league.
On a separate note, the Panthers defeated Spalding University and Westminster College, both which had not been done since they took one game from each team back in the 2012 season. There is much good to take from the 2015 season and the Panthers will look to build off of the progress they made this year and continue to improve over the off-season in order to have an even better season next year in 2016.
Freshman
Parker Davidson led the team in hitting by posting a .319 average at the plate.
Jemlok Farson led the Panthers in OBP as he walked in his lone appearance at the plate this year and was a perfect 1-1 in getting on base this year!
Parker Davidson (.407) and
Ed Bargmann (.400) were the only Panthers to boast OBP's equal to or above (.400). Freshman
Aleq McMullin was the leader in slugging percentage (.425), RBI (20), and also led the Panthers in home runs with 3.
Ed Bargmann finished with the most appearances at the plate (112) and hits (32), while
Gavin Thomas led the team in total bases with 42.
Gavin Thomas led the Panthers in innings pitched (50.2) which was one ahead of
Dallen Russell (49.2). Russell, however, led the team and was amongst the top five in the SLIAC in strikeouts with 60. Russell also led the staff in ERA (3.81) and opponent batting average, .162.
These statistics have been taken directly from the SLIAC website. It should be noted though that these statistics do not include the final two games of the season as they have yet to be factored in to the season totals. We will double-check all the statistics over the course of next week to make sure that everything is as accurate as possible, but the previously mentioned statistics should provide a good estimate of the 2015 season. Thank you to all of our fans for your constant support this year and we look forward to improving and having a successful year in 2016!
