MOLINE, ILLINOIS -- The Ellsworth Panthers had a big day offensively in sweeping a doubleheader against the Augustana University JV on Wednesday, winning by scores of 12-3 and 16-9.  ECC had a 6-run 2nd inning and a 5-run 4th inning in the opener, then started the 2nd game with 7 runs in the top of the 1st inning.  And the entire pitching staff got some work as coach Kirk Clark used 7 pitchers in each contest.

Sophomore Dariel Colon was one of the hitting stars in game 1, slugging a homer and a double and driving in 3 runs.  He also scored twice.  Gabriel Monosmith had 4 RBIs and he was joined by Tanner Short and Max Watson with 2-hit games.  Hunter Brown had a hit and scored two times and Luke Saxton stole a pair of bases.  None of the 7 pitchers employed by the Panthers faced more than 6 batters in the bullpen game.  Brown started and was followed by Jake English, Luke Greth, Jaxson Cornett, Luke Kalhorn, Aidan Cox and Carter Arends.  The seven combined to allow only 4 hits and 3 earned runs.  English was credited with the win. 

Ellsworth erupted for 11 runs in the 1st 2 frames of the nightcap and their opponents had 7 runs after 2, but only 2 runs after that for Augustana.  Weigel and Saxton each had 3 hits and Monosmith and Colon 2 apiece.  Saxton homered and drove in 4 runs, Josh Morales had 3 RBIs -- 2 of them on sacrifice flies -- and Weigel and Riley Schrader both had 2 RBIs.  Carson Agan walked 4 times and scored every time he was on base and also had 2 steals. Dominic Wade started the parade of ECC pitchers with Owen Norris, Justin Roitman, Karter Beving, Alex Stewart, English, and Casey Clair all working in relief.  Roitman went 3 innings and got the win, his 4th of the season.

The Panthers are now 13-8 and have won 8 of their last 9 games.  They will open ICCAC play in a home doubleheader against NIACC on Mar. 20.