Don Kuhnen, AP Sports
For the second week in a row, the EP boys’ baseball team fell to Princeton. The Panthers dropped a 7-2 decision Tuesday afternoon at the Prophetstown diamond.
Neither team scored in the first three innings as Kolby Franks, pitching for EP, matched his Princeton counterpart with strong outings. The Tigers broke the ice with 2 runs in the fourth. The first scored on a wild pitch and the second on a two out double to right center field.
Princeton marked again in the fifth and loaded the bases causing EP coach Brad Tichler to replace Franks with Austin Cole. A bloop single to right scored 2 runners to give the Tigers a 5-0 lead.
EP started a rally in their half of the sixth. After one out, Jaime Miner walked and Erik Daubman singled to center. Cole reached on an error which also scored Miner. Franks had an infield single to load the bases. Conner Sibley reached on a fielder’s choice that scored the Panthers second run closing the gap to 5-2.
The Tigers tallied 2 more in their half of the 7th before Simon Weidel came in to relieve Cole and got the last 2 outs. The Panthers didn’t score in their seventh.
Franks pitched 4 1/3 innings giving up 6 hits and 4 walks while striking out 7. Cole gave up 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3 during his 2 innings. EP only managed 5 hits with Sibley getting 2.
The Panthers fall to 4-5 on the season with road trips Thursday to Peru St Bede and Saturday to Rockridge.
