New Hampshire Hardball
Home / Uncategorized / Plymouth State offense explodes

Plymouth State offense explodes

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Plymouth State University rebounded from a heartbreaking walk-off loss to score the most runs in nearly six years and split a doubleheader with Saint Elizabeth University at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic on Wednesday.

The Panthers were one out away from wrapping up an extra-inning win in the opener when the Eagles smacked a game-winning, walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.

Plymouth State recovered quickly, however, scoring in each of the first five innings, including a nine-run fourth and eight-run fifth, to pummel Saint Elizabeth, 24-9, in Game 2. The 24 runs scored were the most since a 26-9 thrashing of Daniel Webster College in March 2016.

With the split the Panthers moved to 4-6, while Saint Elizabeth goes to 1-6.

The Basics:

  • Game One: Plymouth State 6, St. Elizabeth 7 (9 Inn.)
  • Game Two: Plymouth State 24, St. Elizabeth 9
    • Plymouth State (4-6)
    • St. Elizabeth (1-6)

How it Happened (Game One):

  • The Panthers got out to a quick start in the top of the first. With the bases loaded, sophomore Jackson Curtis (Jefferson, N.H.) scored on a wild pitch, freshman Owen Baum (Saint Michaels, Md.) knocked in a run with a groundout and senior Bryan McGrath (Franklin, Mass.) added an RBI single for a 3-0 lead.
  • Plymouth State tacked on another run in the fourth. Three straight singles loaded the bases with nobody out and sophomore Joshua Welsh (East Lyme, Conn.) scored on a double play ball to make it 4-0.
  • St. Elizabeth cut the margin to 4-1 with a run in the bottom of the fourth, but Welsh ripped a two-out RBI single the next half inning.
  • The Eagles tied the game in the bottom of the frame, though, on a three-run homer and sacrifice fly.
  • The score would hold into the top of the ninth. Sophomore Luke Sokolski (Waterford, Conn.) walked and stole second and with two out, freshman Danny Quinn (Holliston, Mass.) gave PSU the lead with an RBI single.
  • St. Elizabeth worked a leadoff walk in the bottom half. PSU got a pair of outs, but with two away the Eagles walked off with a two-run homer for the 7-6 win.

By the Numbers (Game One):

  • Quinn went 4-for-5 and Welsh had a 3-for-4 night.
  • Junior Alex Rives (Gilford, N.H.) and Curtis also had multi-hit games.
  • Sokolski scored a pair of runs.

How it Happened (Game Two):

  • PSU used a two-out rally to open the scoring in game two. Sokolski walked and stole second before moving to third on Baum’s base hit. Baum swiped second and both came around on McGrath’s two-run single.
  • St. Elizabeth came back with two in the top of the second, but the Panthers answered in the bottom of the inning. Quinn singled and moved up to third on a throwing error during a pickoff attempt before scampering home on a wild pitch. Junior Nick Cote (Londonderry, N.H.) followed with a triple and scored on a ground out for a 4-2 lead.
  • The Panthers extended the lead in the third. McGrath smashed a solo home run, Quinn had an RBI single, and another run scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-2.
  • The Eagles went deep twice the next half inning hitting a solo shot and two-run bomb to cut the lead to 7-5.
  • PSU blew the game open in the bottom of the frame. Sokolski scored on a throwing error, McGrath singled in a run and sophomore Bryan Gallagher (Wareham, Mass.) had a two-run single to make it 11-5. Rives, Sokolski and McGrath all had run scoring singles as the team batted around, and Welsh capped the inning with a two-run base hit as the lead ballooned to 16-5.
  • Despite the large lead the Panthers continued to add on in the fifth. Sokolski drove in two with a double, Baum smoked a two-run triple and Welsh added an RBI single to push the lead to 21-5. PSU plated two more on consecutive Eagles’ errors and Rives knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice to make it a 24-5 game.
  • St. Elizabeth scored four in the top of the sixth to account for the final score.

By the Numbers (Game Two):

  • Every starter for the Panthers had at least one hit and six players had multi-hit games.
  • McGrath finished 4-of-4 with five RBI and two runs scored, while Sokolski, Welsh and Gallagher all drove in three.
  • Sokolski, Baum and Quinn each scored four runs and Cote worked three walks.
  • Sophomore Nick Calenda (Warren, R.I.) earned the win with 1.1 innings of scoreless ball.
  • The teams combined to throw more than 350 pitches in the game.

    *******

    Those who would like to help New Hampshire Hardball promote baseball in the Granite State can do so by purchasing a New Hampshire Hardball membership or by making a donation below. Sponsorship inquiries can be sent to nhhardball@gmail.com. Your support is greatly appreciated.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login