ELSAH, IL – The Principia baseball team hosted the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy (UHSP) Eutectics in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday night at Cheatham Stadium. After dropping the opener 11-3, the Panthers responded with a gutsy, team-driven effort to secure a 5-4 win in the nightcap – their fourth home victory of the season.
Game One: UHSP 11, Principia 3
Ethan Booth made his second start of the year and showed flashes of promise, but UHSP took advantage of some early miscues to build momentum. After scoring once in the first, the Eutectics pushed across five runs in the second inning on just three hits, aided by several walks and defensive error. They added another in the third to extend the lead to 7-0.
The Panthers got on the board in the third after working three consecutive two-out walks, forcing in a run. In the fourth, Booth and Logan Cadey combined for a shutout inning, and the offense responded. With two outs, Tyler Gingras and Ramsey singled, and sophomore Kailis Mayo ripped a two-RBI double to the left center gap to make it 7-3.
UHSP added a run in the sixth and three more in the seventh to pull away, ultimately taking game one 11-3.
Game Two: Principia 5, UHSP 4
The second game showcased the Panthers' resilience and depth. Sophomore Cole Christensen got the ball and worked through several high-leverage innings with poise.
The Panthers struck early. After loading the bases with one out in the first inning, Justice Fortson punched a single through the infield to bring home two runs. Dean Wood followed with a sacrifice fly to right to give Principia a 3-0 lead.
UHSP answered with a run in the second but Christensen pitched out of trouble to preserve the lead. In the bottom of the second, Gingras came through with an RBI single to score Ramsey and push the Panthers' lead to 4-1.
The Eutectics would added two more in the third and then tied the game 4-4 in the fourth after a pair of singles and an error, but Christensen struck out two batters to leave the go-ahead run stranded, showing his competitive edge. The Panthers threatened again in the fifth after back-to-back singles by Fortson and Wood, but a UHSP pitching change shut the door and stranded the go-ahead run at third.
Nick Dolci entered in the sixth with two outs and a runner on second and shut down the threat inducing a ground out to first. In the home half of the sixth, the bottom of the Panthers' lineup set the stage. Josh Dement worked a leadoff walk and was moved into scoring position by Cooper Martinez's well-executed sac bunt. Josh Bayless was hit in the helmet with two strikes, bringing up the top of the order. Gingras stayed hot and delivered again, singling to left to score Dement from second and give Principia a 5-4 lead.
Freshman Koye Calzada took the mound in the seventh. After a leadoff fly out, a walk and a stolen base put the tying run in scoring position. A dropped infield popup created more pressure, putting runners on first and second. But Calzada bore down, striking out the next batter and then inducing a game-ending ground ball to third. Gingras fielded it cleanly, stepped on the bag, and sealed the win.
Calzada earned his first collegiate save, while Dolci picked up his first win of the season. Gingras finished the day with multiple hits, the game-winning RBI, and a solid defensive performance.
Looking ahead: The Panthers return to conference play this weekend as they look to carry the energy and focus from game two into the homestretch of the season. The Panthers travel to Columbus, MS to take on the MUW Owls on Saturday with the doubleheader starting at 12:00 pm.
