Elsah, ILL.-- The Principia Panthers played host to the East Division first place team, Spalding University. Spalding was 23-6 coming into today's match-up and is currently ranked 20th in the nation. Jake Kearney earned the game one start and worked a scoreless first and second inning. The Panthers, 17-11 jumped out to an early lead. Spalding's starter walked the first three batters. Zach Grennie lifted a sacrifice fly to right to plate the first run. Spalding scored their first runs in the third inning by way of the long ball. Taking the lead 3-1, the Panthers responded in the home half of the inning to cut the lead to one. Grennie again picked up the RBI on a single up the middle that plated Ed Bargmann.
The Golden Eagles added three more in the fourth, picking up three more runs on another home run. Kearney threw a one-two-three fifth inning. A solo home run in the 6th stretched the lead to 5. Another home run made the score 9-2. Nathan Wood came into the game and delivered one pitch in the bottom of the 7th, a strike that Ryan Eisenauer threw out another base runner to end the threat. Wood did an outstanding job on the mound this evening, striking out three in 3.1 innings and not allowing an earned run. Spalding scored two more unearned runs to make the final score 11-2.
The Panthers were unable to plate any runs after the third inning but hit several balls hard. Sean Hannan led the way with two hits. Zach Grennie had 2 RBIs.
Up Next:
The Panthers have a double header tomorrow Saturday the 21st against Spalding to wrap up the series. First pitch is at 1pm with game two following shortly after the first game ends.
