Elsah, ILL. -- The Panthers started out relatively flat today, falling behind quickly in game one. However, after a disappointing loss, the Panthers came back in game two ready to fight. In an exciting, extra-inning game, the Panthers ultimately fell to the Hornets.
Game 1:Â Principia 0, Harris-Stowe 6
The Panthers started off game one with solid defense.
Leah Schaefer was on the rubber, pitching one of her better games of the season. Drawing fly balls and grounders, Schaefer gave the Panthers many opportunities to win the game. However, the Panther defense had one rough inning in the fourth with a few errors that cost them several runs.
Offensively, the Panthers just did not show up. With only three hits for the game, the Panthers were unable to put up any runs.
Hannah Hathaway,
Lauren Daugherty, and
Sarai Marcano each hit a single.
Game 2:Â Principia 10, Harris-Stowe 12 (eight innings)
After a disappointing loss, the Panthers were determined to come in to game two with more spark and energy. The Panther defense shut down the Hornets right away.
Leah Schaefer was back on the rubber, hitting her spots and making the offense work for a spot on base. The Hornets had a few weak-hit "bloopers" that dropped in for hits in the third inning that ended up putting the Panthers behind three runs.
On offense, the Panthers came out ready to attack in the first inning with several hard hit balls. The Panthers made the Hornets work for their outs. However, they seemed to take a break from the bats in the second and third inning, until momentum was gained again in the fourth with a solo home run by
Hannah Hathaway.
Down one run in the top of the seventh inning, the Panthers gave up several runs, making a win seem too far out of reach. However, the Panthers used this to fuel their fire and ended up tying the game in the bottom of the seventh with a double hit by
Leah Schaefer. In the top of the eighth inning, the Panthers quickly found themselves down five runs, but got themselves out of a potentially big inning. Back on offense, the Panthers had a long two-out rally and brought in three more runs- two of which were brought in with a home run by
Emily Hewitt. Despite an incredible display of grit, the Panthers ultimately fell to the Hornets.
Hits for game two go to
Emily Hewitt with a single and a home run,
Hannah Hathaway with two singles, a double, and a home run,
Lauren Daugherty with three singles,
Leah Schaefer with a double,
Sarai Marcano with a double, and
Tanya Marquardt with two singles.
The Panthers showed great resolve in game two, showing they can compete in high-pressure situations. They will face off against Spalding University this Saturday at home at 2:00 & 4:00 pm.
Â
