Softball plays solid first game in doubleheader loss to Webster

ELSAH, IL - The Principia Softball team hosted the Webster Gorloks on Saturday afternoon for a conference doubleheader.

In game one, the Panthers only committed one error – their fewest in a game this season. Principia faced dominant pitching all day, but Avery Cobb kept the Gorloks from throwing a no hitter by connecting on a stand-up double to left center in the fourth inning. Cobb also pitched well, averaging an out every seven pitches. She was helped out by some outstanding catches by Heather Savoye in center, Kelsie Huss at third, and Leslie Barrera at second. Together with what we've come to expect from Gracie Paul at shortstop and Emma Franklin at first, Principia presents an improved infield, as evidenced by the 3-up, 3-down top of the first inning.
 
Unfortunately, game two got away from the Panthers early as the Gorlok bats got really hot in the first inning. Pitcher Victoria Columbus got tougher and tougher to hit each inning she pitched. Offensively, Kelsie Huss and Karen Trevor-Roberts each had singles that found green grass with drives through the infield.
 
After the games, one of the Webster coaches asked to speak with the Panthers, just as the Fontbonne coach did in the game on Tuesday. He complemented the team on the obvious effort put forth and said, "You just keep playing. You'll get there sooner than you might think, as long as you keep trying as hard as you did today." The umpire pulled Coach Crecelius aside to say how impressed he was with the spirit and resilience of the team through tough circumstances. It was his first visit to Principia, and he too predicted a bright future for Principia softball.
 
At the end of the game the two teams, the Gorloks and Panthers got together for a group photo as Principia joined Webster in the Red Card Campaign, a program put together by the United Nations to end violence and discrimination against women and girls. It was a nice moment of friendship and purpose between the teams.

Up Next: The Panthers have three doubleheaders this coming week, as they travel to Blackburn on Tuesday and Stephens College on Thursday, before returning home to host Greenville on Saturday.