ELSAH, IL – The Principia softball team hosted the Maranatha Baptist University Sabercats on Thursday for a doubleheader on an usually warm March afternoon. The Panthers dominated both games 24-8 and 29-4, setting new program records for most runs scored in a game (29) and most combined runs in a doubleheader (53).
In game one,
Megan Lupton was the starting pitcher for the Panthers as took a break from her normal shortstop duties. She did a great job filling in for the team's injured pitchers as she took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and finished with 6 strikeouts.
At the plate,
Ella Straber went 2-for-2 with a double as she and
Bailey Lancaster each finished with 4 runs scored and 2 RBIs.
Paige Morris also had a double and finished with a team-high 5 RBIs.
Sophie Wegrzyn and
Alex Kibbe each had 3 RBIs of their own with Kibbe adding a triple.
Georgia Golbiw started game two and pitched all 5 innings, allowing only 2 earned runs and striking out 3 batters.
Paige Morris set an individual program record with 5 runs scored in the second game.
Ella Straber had an identical line as game one as she finished 4-for-4 on the day, while
Bailey Lancaster added 2 more hits with 3 runs and 3 RBIs.
Jasmine Shipley also had a nice game two at the plate with 3 hits, 2 runs, and 4 RBI.
Dana Galinis had the biggest hit of the game with a bases-loaded triple in the second inning.
In the two games combined, the Panthers totaled 15 hits, drew 18 walks, and were hit by a pitch 29 times as the opposing pitchers struggled with their command. Principia improved to 3-5 on the season heading into conference play.
The Panthers will head to Greenville University on Saturday for their first SLIAC doubleheader, beginning at 1:00 PM.
