Goulet sets program record with tenth homer as part of three-hit game

            MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Senior Josh Goulet (Nashua, N.H.) homered as part of a three-hit game, but Plymouth State University dropped a non-conference baseball to Middlebury College, 9-4, at Forbes Field on Wednesday.

            Middlebury scored four times in the second. Goulet made it a one-run game with a three-run shot in the third, but the hosts came right back with a three spot in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-3 lead. PSU scored a run and loaded the bases in the eighth, but couldn't get a big hit and Middlebury tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the inning to earn the win.

            Goulet's tenth long ball of the season is a new program record.

            With the setback Plymouth State falls to 11-18, while Middlebury improves to 18-8.

            The Final Score:

            Plymouth State 4, Middlebury 9

            Records:

            Plymouth State (11-18)

            Middlebury (18-8)

            How it Happened:

            * The game was scoreless into the bottom of the second when Middlebury struck for four unearned runs.

            * PSU cut into the lead in the top of the third as Goulet belted a three-run homer to center field after a single from senior Chris Mansour (Lowell, Mass.) and walk from junior Jimmy Zimolka (Londonderry, N.H.). With two down, senior Ryan Richard (Berlin, N.H.) singled and moved up on a passed ball. The Panthers nearly tied the game on a single from junior Andrew Salta (Laconia, N.H.), but a strong throw by the Middlebury right fielder and good tag by the catcher cut Richard down at the plate.

            * Middlebury got the three runs right back in the third on a two-run single and run-scoring fielder's choice to take a 7-3 lead.

            * Plymouth State trimmed a run off the deficit in the eighth when junior Jake McMaster (Wilton, N.H.) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. PSU was unable to get any closer, though, as the next batter went down swinging.

            * The hosts tacked on two runs in the bottom of the frame to account for the final score.

            Inside the Numbers:

            * Goulet finished 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and a run scored, while Zimolka went 2-for-3 and scored twice. His ten home runs on the season are the most in program history. He has reached base in all 29 games this year.

            * Richard and Mansour both went 1-for-3 with a walk.

            * Senior Alex Libby (Freeport, Maine) took the loss (2-2). He gave up seven runs, though just one was earned, while striking out five over seven innings.

            * Senior Colby Morris (Del Mar, Calif.) improved to 4-1 for Middlebury.

            Up Next:

            * Plymouth State finally opens its home schedule with a non-conference game against New England College at Parish Field on Thursday (Apr. 25). First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.

            * Middlebury returns to NESCAC action with a three-game set against Wesleyan this weekend.

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