Spring sports are underway and athletics are ready for a great season. The winter season wrapped up in February with women’s basketball making it to the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) semifinals, men’s basketball making it to the quarterfinals, and indoor track and field competing in the conference championship.
The baseball team started its season on Feb. 17. The squad is young, with 11 freshmen joining the veteran players. Their first two games were losses against the University of the Ozark Eagles. In their most recent game, freshman Deano Wood got the first hit and run of his career in the bottom of the third inning. Senior Ryan D’Amico also scored in the third inning and racked in another run later. When the dust settled, the Panthers lost 3-11 to the Eagles. The team did not seem to let the loss bring them down. The Principia Panthers showcased their dominance over the Maranatha Baptist Sabercats on March 2 with a commanding 24-3 victory in the series opener, followed by a thrilling comeback in the series finale, culminating in a walk-off double by Gavin Mitchell to complete a sweep of the weekend series. Baseball’s first conference game is on March 29 at home.
Softball is back. The softball team wasn’t able to play last year because they didn’t have the minimum nine players after two left Prin unexpectedly. This year, the softball team has 13 players. Now, the softball team is set to showcase its talent. The team is led by Interim Head Coach Grace Burrows and assistant coach Greg Brown. The team played and lost their first conference game in two years on March 2 against Westminster. The next game is scheduled against Greenville on March 8.
Men’s and women’s indoor track and field began their season on Dec. 8, with the conference championship on Feb. 24. Principia Track and Field has a new head coach, Andrew Scott. He is also the assistant cross-country coach. The outdoor track and field team will begin its conference season on March 23, and coach Scott said he can’t wait to see what the team can do.
The men’s and women’s tennis teams have had a strong start to their season. Both teams have had matches in the fall and the spring. The men are currently 2-2 and the women are 2-1. Ernesto Botero was chosen as the Upper Midwest Conference Athletic Conference (UMAC) South men’s tennis player of the week on Feb. 13, and teammate Juan Cachaza won the same award on Feb. 20. Mafe Quintero won the UMAC Women’s Tennis player of the week on Feb. 13, and helped the women’s team win a close match on Feb. 10. Both men and women’s tennis are off to have a great season, according to their players.
