ELSAH, IL - Principia College Baseball was back in action for the first time in almost two years! The Panthers hadn't played since their 2020 season was halted by the pandemic in mid-March of that year. Principia hosted the Olivet College Comets from Michigan for their home opener on Friday night under the lights.
Freshman
Casey Golbiw started on the mound for the Panthers in his first collegiate outing. The Comets struck first, plating three runs in the top of the first. Golbiw settled in and picked up his first two strikeouts of his collegiate career. The Panthers offense got to work in the bottom of the first erasing the Comet lead as senior
Jack Adler led off with a two-strike single. The Panthers tallied three by the end of the inning to tie things up as they capitalized on two defensive errors and a walk.
The second inning proved to be the dagger for Principia as Olivet poured on 12 runs. The Panthers struggled to slow the Olivet offense and were exacerbated by a couple defensive miscues. Adler was the inning's one bright spot as he collected all three outs for the Panthers with some solid defensive play.
Senior
Chris Strong entered to pitch for the Panthers in the third and went on to throw three scoreless innings in his five innings pitched. Strong kept the Olivet batters off balance only allowing two earned runs.
Freshman
Salvador Flores drew a walk in the bottom of the fifth, and after working his way to third, scored by diving into home on a wild pitch.
The Panthers wouldn't go quietly as they added three in the sixth.
Jack Adler,
Tim Eissler,
Casey Golbiw and
Chris Strong all singled in the inning as the Panthers chipped away at the Comet lead. Unfortunately, the huge deficit from early in the game proved too much to overcome, and the game ended after seven innings (10-run mercy rule) for a 19-7 Olivet victory. On the bright side, aside from the 2nd inning, the Panthers played the Comets to a 7-7 tie.
The Panthers finished the day with seven runs on seven hits. Adler and Eissler led the Panther offense with two hits each. Flores and Golbiw picked up their first collegiate hits and both tallied an RBI as well.
Up Next: The series continues tomorrow with a double header starting at 12:30 pm. Come watch at Cheatham Stadium or on the live stream!
