KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Plymouth State University scored four runs in the final two innings and had the tying run in scoring position, but Simpson College (Iowa) held on for a 5-4 win over the Panthers during day one of THE Spring Games at Fortune Road Athletic Complex.
Rowan University, ranked #24 in the nation, used the longball to keep the Panthers at bay in the day's first game. The Profs smacked a solo shot in the first, then used a grand slam in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead and Plymouth State was unable to rally.
The Storm built a 5-0 lead through the first three innings of PSU's second game of the day. Senior
Sam McCann (Berlin, N.H.) went deep to get the Panthers on the board in the sixth and Plymouth State plated three in the final at bat but Simpson got a big strikeout with the tying run on second to hold on for the win.
Plymouth State starts the season 0-2, while Rowan moves to 7-1 and Simpson goes to 4-2.
The Basics:
- Game 1: Plymouth State 0, #24 Rowan 8 (5 Inn.)
- Game 2: Plymouth State 4, Simpson 5
- Plymouth State (0-2)
- #24 Rowan (7-1)
- Simpson (4-2)
How it Happened (#24 Rowan):
- Rowan jumped out to a 3-0 first inning lead thanks solo home run and two-run single.
- The Panthers put their first two runners on base in the bottom of the frame but were unable to push a run across.
- The Profs extended the margin with a grand slam in the fourth to make it 7-0.
- Rowan tacked on another run in the fifth.
- PSU had a pair of singles in the bottom of the frame but was unable to extend the game.
By the Numbers (#24 Rowan):
How it Happened (Simpson):
- Simpson plated an unearned run in the first with a sacrifice fly and doubled the lead in the second.
- Bessette doubled in the third to put two in scoring position for the Panthers with one out, but the Storm got back-to-back strikeouts to avoid any damage.
- The home team extended the margin to 5-0 in the bottom of the third.
- McCann's blast put PSU on the board in the top of the sixth.
- Graduate student Emily Picard (Berlin, N.H.) ripped an RBI single and sophomore Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) drove in a run with a base hit to pull within 5-3 in the top of the seventh.
- McCann followed with an RBI groundout, advancing the tying run to second base, but a strikeout ended the game.
By the Numbers (Simpson):
- Bessette went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk while scoring a run.
- Freshman Keelie Wells (Milford, N.H.) reached twice on a single and a walk, while five other Panthers also singled.
- McCann's blast was the eighth of her career.
- Junior Alyssa Wilson (Haverhill, Mass.) allowed just two hits but struggled with her control over the first two innings.
- Freshman Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) struck out four and scattered three hits in four innings of work.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State continues its spring trip with contests against Macalester and Mount St. Joseph on Sunday (Mar. 12).
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