FORT MYERS, Fla. – Sophomore
Luke Sokolski (Waterford, Conn.) and junior
Nick Healey (Campton, N.H.) both had multi-hit games, but Augustana College pounded out 15 hits to top Plymouth State University, 15-3, in the Panthers' first game at the Gene Cusic Collegiate on Friday evening.
Plymouth State struck in the bottom of the first when Sokolski led off with a single and came around to score later in the inning. The Vikings answered with runs in the second, third and fourth to take a 5-1 lead, but PSU rallied with two in the bottom of the fourth. Augustana's pitching took over from there, though, allowing just one hit the rest of the way as the Vikings pulled away.
Plymouth State dips to 0-4 on the year, while Augustana improves to 5-1.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Augustana 15 (8 Innings)
- Plymouth State (0-4)
- Augustana (5-1)
How it Happened:
- After a scoreless top of the first, Sokolski singled to start the bottom of the inning. He advanced on a pair of ground outs and stole home to give the Panthers the early lead.
- Augustana manufactured a run the next half inning to tie the game without the benefit of a hit.
- PSU loaded the bases with two down in the second behind a Healey single, an error and a walk, but the Vikings escaped with an infield popup.
- Augustana added a pair of runs in the third and fourth innings to extend the lead to 5-1.
- Senior Bryan McGrath (Franklin, Mass.) started the bottom of the fourth with a single. After a fly out, Healey and junior Alex Rives (Gilford, N.H.) connected for back-to-back base hits to load the bases again. Freshman Sam Malgeri (Stratham, N.H.) worked a walk and Sokolski drove in a run with a single to make it 5-3, but the Vikings avoided further damage with a double play.
- Augustana rallied with three runs in the sixth before putting the game out of reach.
By the Numbers:
- Sokolski and Healey combined for four of PSU's seven hits, while McGrath and freshman Owen Baum (Saint Michaels, Md.) both reached twice with a hit and a walk.
- Malgeri walked twice in his three at bats.
- Senior Noah Wachter (Concord, N.H.) surrendered five runs over the first four innings to suffer the loss.
- Freshman Tyler Wright (Concord, N.H.) and senior Max Lamora (Concord, N.H.) each went 1.2 innings, while sophomore Nick Calenda (Warren, R.I.) got the final two outs.
- The teams have faced off six times in Florida, with Augustana winning the last five meetings. The teams will meet up again on Sunday (Mar. 6).
Up Next:
- Plymouth State plays a pair against Otterbein University on Saturday (Mar. 5) with games at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
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