The Blackburn Beavers Baseball team lost their SLIAC opener game to the Greenville University Panthers, on March 22nd, 2019. The game took place at 5:00 p.m., at Greenville University in Greenville, Illinois.
The Beavers were shut down quickly in the top of the first inning, as Greenville pitcher Jonah Moore made quick work of the Beavers lineup. Sophomore Isaac Garrett held his own, holding the Panthers to zero runs in the bottom of the first, with three flyouts to sophomore center fielder Steven Diaz. The Beavers had life in the second inning, after one out, freshman Trevor Platt singled up the middle. Senior Jonathan "Bubby" Stepp then singled into left field, advancing Platt to second. Moore remained strong on the mound, however, and struck out the next two batters to keep the Beavers off the board. Greenville took control of the game in the bottom of the second inning, when Andrew Torbeck reached base on an error. Jamie Quesada then singled into left field, allowing Torbeck to score. Mark Islas then doubled into deep left field, allowing Quesada to score. The Panthers continued their attack in the bottom of the third, when multiple Greenville players strung together hits to increase the scoring gap. Adam Lamb stole second, and on a misplayed throw, allowed Ryan Taylor to score. Lamb advanced to third, and then Sam Hodges doubled into left center, allowing Lamb to score. Torbeck came back to the plate and also doubled into left center, allowing Hodges to score. Ty Maxie then singled to left field, allowing Torbeck to score. By this point in the bottom of the third, the Panthers had a 6-0 lead against the Beavers.
In the top of the fifth inning, sophomore Christian Padilla sparked life in the Beaver dugout. After a bunt attempt and a fielder's choice, Padilla reached first as freshmen Mitchell Binder was thrown out at second. Diaz then came to the plate and tripled into right center, scoring Padilla. Freshman Tyler Jackson then scored an RBI on a groundout to the short stop. Senior Ryan Steen then came up to the plate, and homered to right center, closing the scoring gap to 6-3. However, the Beavers attack would end here, as reliever Cole Becker came in for the Panthers and kept the Beavers off the board.
With this game, Greenville takes the first of a three game series. The Beavers will attempt to even up the series on Saturday, March 23rd, at 1:00 p.m., when they play a double header against Greenville, in Greenville, Illinois.