ST. LOUIS, MO – The Principia Baseball team traveled down to Town & Country to play a single nine against the Maryville University Saints. Maryville, a former member of the SLIAC, made the jump to Division II back in 2010. This was the first time the Panthers and Saints have faced each other since 2009.
Ryan D'Amico picked up the Panthers' first hit in the top of the first with a single to right field but was stranded at first. Micah Cook made the start for the Panthers and looked sharp at the start picking up a 1-2-3 first thanks to nice play by shortstop Hunter LeBlanc ranging up the middle.
Casey Golbiw singled to lead off the second but the Saints were able to induce an inning-ending double play to escape any danger. In the bottom half of the second, the Saints worked a lead off walk and D'Amico threw out the would be base stealer. The Saints would get on the board first with an unearned run that scored on a sac fly. In the bottom of the third, they picked up another run on a solo home run to center. Cook would go on to strike out two to end the inning.
In the top of the fourth, Golbiw walked and Cayden Hazelrigg picked up a single, but the Panthers were unable to capitalize. Ethan Booth took over on the mound and kept the Saints off the board the next two innings. In the bottom of the sixth, after a lead off walk, a pinch hit long ball to right put Maryville up 4-0. Salvador Flores then threw two scoreless innings, but the Panthers were unable to manufacture any runs. The Saints won the contest 4-0. D'Amico lead the Panthers with two hits while LeBlanc, Golbiw and Hazelrigg each tallied a hit.
Up Next: The Panthers next matchup with be Friday, March 17th as they host the Maranatha Baptist Sabercats. Last season, the Panthers beat the Sabercats twice for their only two wins of the season.
