The Panthers opened up the 2010 campaign with a twinbill against the Grace College Lancers, an NAIA team from Indiana. Principia split the doubleheader, losing the first game 9-3 and dominating in the second game 8-4. In game 1, freshman pitcher Nate Gotch took the mound for the first time since his junior year in high school. Nate had an electric fastball and a nasty splitfinger for the first three innings of the game. In the fourth inning, he started to lose his command. He walked four batters and fell behind many of the batters he faced in that inning. In that same inning, the Lancers scored six unearned runs that led to the victory. On a positive note, Sophomore Alan Cheatham threw out two would-be basestealers in his first game ever behind the dish.
In game 2, Principia’s offense went to work early as we jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the 2nd inning. Jeff Strickland, Jeff Roby, and Samuel Thomas led the charge. The six runs in the 2nd inning was all that sophomore pitcher Thomas needed to secure the victory. Thomas was locked in from the onset and had a no-hitter with 2 outs in the 3rd that was broken up by a check-swing double down the right field line. After 5 strong innings from Thomas, sophomore Robbie Nickell came out of the bullpen to shut the door on the Lancers. Nickell pitched brilliantly in both the first and second game going a combined 5 innings. Junior centerfielder Jeff Strickland was Player of the Game in game 2 for his three doubles and stellar outfield play. The Panthers will square off next weekend with Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.