BABSON PARK, Mass. - Senior Brandon Hodge (Bradford, Vt.) highlighted a seven-run third inning with a three-run double Wednesday afternoon, and Plymouth State University went on to defeat Babson College 10-9 in non-conference baseball action at Govoni Field.

            The seven-run inning helped PSU overcome an early 5-0 deficit.  Babson rallied and regained the lead, 8-7 in the seventh inning before the Panthers answered with a run in the eighth and two in the ninth for a 10-8 advantage.  The Beavers scored one in the bottom of the ninth and had runners at first and third but the next batter popped out to second to end the game.

            It was the first game back in New England for Plymouth State, which improves to 4-9 overall.  The Beavers, playing their fifth game in five days since returning from their spring trip, falls to 8-5.

            Eight different players had one hit apiece for the Panthers.  Hodge and juniors Jay Kleponis (Reading, Mass.) and Marc McGinnis (Hanover, Mass.) all hit doubles.  PSU used five pitchers, with senior Ryan Lavelle (Middleboro, Mass.) pitching a scoreless eighth inning to get credit for the win, and senior Justin Flanagan (Hingham, Mass.) working the ninth inning and recording his first save.

            PSU's big hit in the eighth inning was provided by McGinnis, who brought Kleponis home with a two-out RBI double.  Both Panther runs in the ninth inning were unearned, the second one coming home on an RBI single by senior John Pogorzelski (Hillsborough, N.J.)

            Junior Bryan Evans (Bellaire, Texas) led the 14-hit attack for Babson, going 3-for-6 with four RBI.  Seniors Steve Tahmoush (Arlington, Mass.), Matt Delaney (Newton, Mass.) and Andrew Nodine (Portland, Maine) each had two hits, and junior Jeff Wojnar (Bellaire, Texas) drove in two runs. Sophomore Michael O'Brien (Shrewsbury, Mass.) pitched well in relief for the Beavers, allowing just two hits and one runs in four-and-two-thirds innings.

            The Panthers open Little East Conference play this Saturday with a 12 p.m. doubleheader at Rhode Island College.  Babson hosts Keene State Thursday at 3:00 p.m.

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