ELSAH, IL – The Principia baseball team pushed one of the region's top offenses in a three-game series at Cheatham Stadium on Thursday and Friday, but Webster University came away with all three wins despite a dramatic rally in the opener.
Game 1: Webster 15, Principia 13
Principia nearly erased an early deficit in a wild series opener, scoring 13 runs over the final five innings before coming up just short in a 15-13 loss.
Webster jumped out early with a five-run first inning, and held the Panthers hitless through three. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, the Panthers picked up their first hit off the bat of
Kailis Mayo. Mayo led the comeback charge, going 4-for-6 with a home run and three runs scored, while
Josh Dement and
Cole Christensen each drove in two and
Josh Bayless delivered a key 3 RBI double as part of a 4-run sixth inning.
Trailing 15-12 entering the ninth, Principia continued to apply pressure. Mayo reached base scoring Dement, bringing the tying run to the plate before Webster closed the door. Despite the loss, Principia posted 15 hits – their highest total of the series – and showed fight after being down double digits.
Game 2: Webster 12, Principia 3
Webster's pitching staff limited the Panthers to four hits in the middle game of the series, securing a 12-3 victory.
Justice Fortson doubled in a run in the second.
Luis Gil provided a highlight moment with a solo home run in the eighth inning.
Isaiah Cook singled in a run in the ninth accounting for the final run for the Panthers' offense.
On the mound
Ryan Kremer,
Tyler Baggiore,
Michael Boulet, and
Nick Cotter combined to work through a potent Webster lineup. The game was lengthened by a lightning delay in the bottom of the 7th. Defensive miscues extended several innings, contributing to multiple unearned runs.
Game 3: Webster 11, Principia 3
The series finale followed a similar script early, but Principia continued to battle throughout nine innings.
After Webster built an early 5-1 lead, the Panthers responded in the sixth inning.
Dean Wood delivered the key swing, ripping a two-run double to center to close the gap.
Josh Dement and
Justice Fortson each reached base multiple times as Principia finished with 11 hits.
Cole Christensen started on the mound, with
Charlie Reiss and
Koye Calzada providing relief. Calzada closed the game with 1.1 scoreless innings, striking out two. Webster pulled away late, plating four runs in the eighth to seal the series.
Next Up
The Panthers will host Spalding on Tuesday at 3:00 PM, followed by a three-game series at Westminster College next Friday and Saturday.
