ELSAH, Ill. -- The Sabercats were victims of a couple of big Principia innings and some inconveniently timed errors yesterday evening in Illinois, as Maranatha fell 1-15 to Principia to open the 2025 season.
Cameron Curcuro led the Sabercats with 2 hits on the day while Tim Nickels and Jonathan Jeske also recorded hits in the first game of the season. Game two of the three-game series will begin today at 12:00 P.M. to start the doubleheader. It was the first time since October that the Sabercats had faced live pitching and had played on a regulation field.
OVERVIEW
- Result: Maranatha 1-15 Principia
- Venue: Cheatham Stadium
- Location: Elsah, Ill.
- Attendance: 32, 41
- Records: MBU (0-1), PC (1-3)
STORY
Principia sprang to life in the second inning, as the bats got big for a 7-run showing off of of 6 hits. The hosts had three extra-base hits in the frame, grabbing the momentum and a sizeable lead. Skyler Stock smashed a three-run homer in the fourth inning to give the Panthers a double-digit advantage, and Maranatha's response to avoid the shutout was an RBI from Joe Anderson in the following inning with the bases jammed. Judson Martin connected in the next at-bat but his line drive was snagged by Principia's left-fielder to end Maranatha's hopes of a rally.
The final damage was done in the sixth inning, when Principia made the most of 5 Sabercats errors to card 5 more runs to cap the scoring.
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Game 1 Lineup: 2-Pease CF, 9- Anderson 2B, 17- J. Martin 3B, 7- Nickels LF, 21- Curcuro SS, 23- Wheeler C, 16- Wine P, 13- Jeske 1B, 19- Pittsenbarger RF
STATS
- Last Year: Principia swept the four-game series in 2024
- Series: Principia leads the all-time series against Maranatha 11-0
OPPONENTS
- Principia competes in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA Dlll)
- Principia finished the 2024 season with a record of 9-29 - their best record in 5 years
NEXT
The Sabercats stay at Principia overnight to face the Panthers today at 12:00 P.M. in a doubleheader. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.
