La Verne, CA. – Today marked day two in California and the Panthers faced the University of LaVerne Leopards. The Leopards (11-8) came into the contest after picking up two wins the day before, while the Panthers were coming off a loss to Chapman University. The Leopards have had several big wins against previously nationally ranked opponents, beating #10 Centenary and taking two from #2 Cal Lutheran. The Panthers called on senior Jake Kearney to take the mound in front of another good Panther Alumni crowd.
The Panthers threatened early in the first as Eddie Bargmann reached on an error by LaVerne's third baseman. Sean Hannan, in his first appearance in the three hole this year, worked a walk and advanced on the wild pitch to make it first and third with one out. Stephen Strong laced a line drive at the third baseman who made up for his error, snaring the ball and diving back to third to tag Bargmann ending the inning and the threat. Jake Kearney made quick work of the first to send the Panthers back to the plate. A base running mistake cost the Panthers an out and allowed the Leopards to make it out unscathed. Kearney threw another one-two-three inning before giving up his first run in the third. A leadoff walk proved to be costly as he was bunted to second and singled in to give LaVerne the early lead. The Panthers responded in the top of the fourth. Stephen Strong led off with a line drive single to left center. Jake Kearney doubled putting runners on second and third. Aleq McMullin picked up the RBI on a slow infield groundout. Zach Grennie worked a walk and brought senior first baseman, Jeff Ross to the plate. Ross ripped a deep fly ball to right and Kearney crossed the plate to take the lead 2-1. The University of LaVerne tied things up in the bottom of the inning curtesy of two singles. The fifth proved to be the dagger. The first batter reached on an error and was moved to second on the sacrifice bunt. A walk put runners at first and second and a balk moved them to second and third. The next batter doubled to score two. A two out single scored the third run of the inning only one of which was earned.
Kearney threw seven innings giving up five runs (3 earned) with two walks and three K's. Zach Grennie came in relief in the 8th and allowed two runs to stretch the Leopard lead to five. The Panthers out hit the Leopards 8-7 lead by Ryan Eisenauer and Jake Kearney both with two knocks. While the outcome wasn't in Principia's favor, the Panther fourteen proved that they can compete with some of the top competition in the country. The Panthers dropped to 8-4 as the Leopards improved to 12-8.
He Said It:
"I felt more focused today than I have been in last few games. I was talking with Jake [Kearney] my roommate and he was saying that this team was a top team and that we really needed to bring the focus and intensity to compete and I carried that over into my game."
--Ryan Eisenauer when asked about his successful day at the plate.
Up Next:
Principia College will play Providence Christian Community College on Tuesday to wrap up their Spring Break trip.
