Chillicothe, IL. -- What used to be a cruel April Fool's joke for baseball players became a reality as snow fell Sunday evening. Monday's double header was schedule to be played at Eureka but with snow on the field, the decision was made to go further north to play where it hadn't snowed. The Panthers took on the Eureka Red Devils.
The Panthers, coming off a series full of timely hitting struggled to find their rhythm after the long ride and quick start. Two singles in the first by Eddie Bargmann and
Stephen Strong followed
Zach Grennie getting hit by a pitch, loaded the bases for the Panthers who were unable to capitalize. After game one starter,
Aleq McMullin, made quick work of the Red Devils, the Panthers loaded the bases again in the second only to leave them stranded again. McMullin continued to work effectively facing the minimum through three innings. The Panthers scored an unearned run in the 5
th as
Ryan Eisenauer reached on an error by the third baseman.
Parker Davidson doubled to advance Ryan to third. Both were advanced on a balk but the Panthers were unable to tack on any more.
The Red Devils started their move in the fourth as well. They singled and advanced to second on an errant pickoff throw. A walk and hit by pitch later the Panthers found themselves in a bases loaded situation. McMullin worked the fly ball to right but the throw home was unable to get the speedy runner. Now first and third with only one out, Eisenauer threw a strike to second that was cut by Strong as the runner at third broke for home. A strong throw to the plate easily picked up the second out and allowed McMullin to work out of the inning without giving up a second run. The 5
th proved to be the dagger for the Panthers. McMullin surrendered the leadoff walk, and got the sacrifice bunt himself for the first out. Eureka ripped two doubles and two singles and took the lead 4-2.
Nathan Wood came in to pitch the sixth and threw well. He allowed one run to stretch the lead to 3. The Panthers had an opportunity in the top of the seventh as they worked two walks.
Ryan Eisenauer singled to cut the lead to two but Eureka's closer shut the door giving them their first conference win this season.
Pitching dominated game two as the nine inning game was played in two hours.
Alex Stamos threw 7 scoreless innings only surrendering two hits, one of which was a well-placed bunt, the other a grounder through the left side. The Panthers were held hitless until the fifth when Davidson singled. The lone run didn't come until the eighth inning.
Zach Grennie got things started with the one-out, two-strike double to deep centerfield. McMullin walked putting runners at first and second. Eisenauer came through with a line drive single scoring Grennie from second. The Panthers called on
Sean Hannan who came in in the bottom of the 8
th to pick up the six-out save. This was Hannan's 5
th save of the season passing
Parker Tibbetts's previous single season record of 4 in 2017.
He Said It:
"Good." --
Sean Hannan when asked how he felt about his fifth save on the season and setting the new single season record for saves.
Up Next:
Principia College will play host to Fontbonne University this Saturday April 7
th.
