Softball celebrates their seniors in doubleheader against Eureka

Elsah, ILL. -- Friday night, the Panthers played what may have been their last two games of the season and even though they were very tough and not how the Panthers wanted to end their season, they left it all out there. The Panthers played well for most of the night, struggling in a few innings that got them in a bit of a hole that they wouldn't be able to get out of later in the game. Principia played the two games honoring their seniors.
 
Game 1: Principia 4 Eureka 14
In game one the Panthers started off strong, keeping up with Eureka who wasn't going to be an easy team to beat. Each player came out to play hard and leave it all on the fielding knowing that this could be the last game that they all play together. The Panthers only get on the board twice in the first game, scoring two runs in both innings. After those two innings they were shut down and did not score again, which made it hard to win the game. Delaney Gatine had a single and Lauren Daugherty had two singles, while Hannah Hathaway and senior Leah Schaefer both had doubles.

Defensively the Panthers had some very solid innings holding Eureka to only a few runs or none at all. In the last inning, though, the Panthers started to get out of sync and made errors which allowed Eureka to put up run after run, taking the game away from the Panthers. Even though the game got away from them, the Panthers didn't stop fighting until it was all over.
 
Game 2: Principia 2 Eureka 19
Game two was not how the Panthers thought they were going to end their season. Just like in game one, the Panthers only let one inning get away from them that ended up determining the rest of the game. It was tough on the seniors to see their last game slip away from a win, but they didn't let their teammates down and give up. Each player kept battling for one another. Gatine had two singles, Hathaway, Daugherty, and Elise Doyle all had a single and Alyssa Hudenburg and Schaefer both had doubles.

Eureka picked up 15 runs in the third inning due to some errors from Principia and also some very well hit balls. Even though that one inning was what gave Principia a loss, the Panthers kept battling for the next two innings to make sure they left on a high note. Senior Leah Schaefer did an amazing job pitching for the Panthers this season and there were several games that weren't easy for her, but she left it all out there, garnering several strike outs.

Up Next:  
The Panthers may play on Tuesday the 30th, but it will all depend on the weather. If they play it will be against Blackburn at 5pm and 7pm in Elsah.