GREENVILLE, IL – Principia baseball dropped all three games of its SLIAC road series at Greenville on Friday and Saturday, as the Panthers struggled to contain early scoring. Despite being swept, Principia showed some flashes of offensive production and received solid efforts from multiple pitchers as the series progressed.
Game 1: Greenville 13, Principia 3
Greenville jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead. After falling behind early, Principia briefly drew even in the second inning when Josh Dement blasted a three-run home run to left, tying the game at 3-3.
For a moment the momentum was with Principia but Greenville responded with a five-run third inning and added on throughout the middle frames to pull away. Principia finished with five hits and three walks, with Gage Vanlandingham, Cole Christensen, Justice Fortson, Skyler Stock, and Dement each recording base hits.
Game 2: Greenville 16, Principia 1
Greenville used a series of big innings to take control of the nightcap, while Principia was limited offensively for much of the game. The lone Panthers' run came in the sixth inning when Justice Fortson reached scoring position on a pinch-hit double, and Cole Christensen drove him in with an RBI groundout.
Principia pitching saw action from Tyler Baggiore, Nick Dolci, and Nick Cotter, with Dolci providing a scoreless outing in relief.
Game 3: Greenville 9, Principia 3
Greenville again jumped out early on Saturday, scoring six runs in the opening inning and never surrendering the lead. Principia's offensive highlight came in the eighth inning when Kailis Mayo launched a three-run home run, accounting for all of the Panthers' scoring in the contest.
In addition to Mayo's home run, Cole Christensen, Dean Wood, and Josh Bayless each recorded hits, with Wood and Bayless collecting doubles. On the mound, Ryan Kremer and Charlie Reiss combined for four innings of one run on hit relief, helping to settle the game late.
Next Up
The Panthers will head to Earlham College in Indiana for one game on Tuesday at 4:00 PM eastern, followed by a conference series at Blackburn next weekend.
