Elsah, ILL. -- The Panthers played host to MacMurray College in a single nine inning game to open an important three game series. The Panthers seemed to come out hot in the first inning, scoring on a lead off home run by Parker Davidson. Ed Bargmann doubled to center and things looked as though they could fall apart early for MacMurray. Instead, their starter settled in and retired the next twelve batters in a row.
Aleq McMullin started for the Panthers and had some help early from Ryan Eisenauer with a runner caught stealing. McMullin ran into some trouble in the bottom of the second giving up three singles and an error. All said and done, the Panther lead was squandered and MacMurray took a 4-1 lead. Mac struck again in the third and extended their lead, 5-1. McMullin settled in and found his rhythm retiring the next nine MacMurray batters.
The Panthers scored one in the 5th on an RBI single by Jeff Ross scoring Sean Hannan who led off with a walk. In the sixth, the Panthers were able to get to the MacMurray starter and took control of the game. McMullin singled and scored on a Zach Grennie home run. Hannan singled and moved to second on the misplayed ball in the outfield. Stephen Strong tripled in a run and scored on a single by Ryan Eisenauer. A few walks allowed two more runs to score and the Panthers scored six run in the inning. In the 7th the Panthers added to their lead again started with a Hannan single. With two outs, Ross walked, and Davidson doubled to score two. Two more walks loaded the bases for a base-clearing double by Zach Grennie. The five run inning stretched the lead 13-6. Nate Wood came in for the final frame and sealed the deal for the Panthers. He allowed one run before settling in and getting the final two outs.
Up Next:
The Panthers face MacMurray College again tomorrow for a double header and will honor their five seniors and their families for senior day between game one and two. Game one begins at 1:00 pm.
