Jacksonville, IL – Today's matchup between the Principia Panthers and the Robert Morris – Springfield Eagles was moved to Lenz Field in Jacksonville, IL due to poor playing conditions at the newly acquired Robin Roberts Stadium. The Eagles were 0-3 heading into the four game series with the Panthers who were 4-2.
The Panthers scored first picking up two runs in the first. With two outs, Principia's first baserunner reached base on an error, followed by three hits before striking out to end the side.
Aleq McMullin, the Panther's starter, came out firing picking up two strikeouts in the first and two more in the second. Senior,
Jake Kearney had himself a day going 3-4 with two doubles, a single, and three RBI. Principia scored 3 in the third to take a 5-0 lead. The Eagles, responded and tacked on two of their own in the bottom of the third. The lead-off single and walk eventually came around to score the only runs McMullin would surrender. The Panthers plated three more in the fourth and fifth innings to extend their lead to 11-2. A Panther run in the sixth and another four in the top of the 7
th proved to be too much for the Eagles.
Nathan Wood picked up his first collegiate hit during a pinch hit at bat in the top of the 7
th before taking the mound to close things out. Wood surrendered just one run in his inning of work. The Panthers took game one, 16-3.
Stephen Strong found himself on the bump in game two and looked to pick up where he left off. After a 1, 2, 3, top of the first, the Eagles threatened in the second but with runners at second and third and no outs, Strong was able to work his way out of the first unscathed. The Panthers took the lead in the third on a McMullin single that plated Eddie Bargmann who singled and stole second to put himself in scoring position.
Zach Grennie doubled in the forth and crossed the plate as senior first baseman,
Jeff Ross reached on an error. Strong wasn't as untouchable as he was in his first outing, but he kept the Eagle batters off balance and counted on his defense to make plays behind him. The Panthers broke things open in the 5
th as they scored 7 highlighted by the three run homerun junior right fielder,
Zach Grennie, launched deep over the left field fence. Principia was not finished, as they added to their lead in a seven run sixth. Grennie had two hits in the inning, one of which was a 2 RBI double while four Panthers reached on singles adding to the hit column. Senior catcher,
Brett Huntley, relieved
Ryan Eisenauer in the 6
th allowing him to rest for the double header tomorrow.
Nathan Wood threw a scoreless 7
th as the Panthers shut out the Eagles in game two 16-0. The two wins moved the Panthers to 6-2 and dropped the Eagles to 0-5.
He Said It:
"I had a ton of confidence out there today, and just felt like I was finding my pitch so easily each at-bat. Then didn't try to do too much with it, just tried to square up the ball no matter what the count was and do the team job that was needed. All the pieces came together for us today and it was great to see all our off season work coming to fruition." --
Jake Kearney when asked to elaborate on his 5-8 day at the plate.
Up Next:
The Panthers face Robert Morris – Springfield University in the final two game of their four game series, tomorrow, Saturday March 10
th at 1pm/3pm, at Principia College for their home opener.
