MANSFIELD, Conn. – Junior
Jackson Curtis (Jefferson, N.H.) and senior
Griffin Crane (Lancaster, N.H.) led the Plymouth State University baseball team in hits, but the Panthers were swept by #2 Eastern Connecticut State University in a Little East Conference (LEC) double header at Eastern Baseball Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Curtis got on base with a single to jumpstart the first game, but the Warriors quickly stopped PSU in its tracks and exploded with 12 runs through the first four innings.
Crane notched his first hit with a single in the fifth and moved into scoring position, but couldn't advance any further. PSU, in a last-ditch effort to break into the scoring column, got a double from Crane and walk to load the bases, but the Eastern Connecticut defense came up with a fly ball and cut the lead runner down at the plate to end the first game, 14-0.
Curtis recorded his second hit in the ninth inning of game two in an attempt to prevent another shutout. The Warriors held strong, though, and got a strike out to finalize the sweep and take game two by an 8-0 margin.
Plymouth State falls to 5-7 (0-2 LEC), while Eastern Connecticut rises to 13-3 and starts conference play at 2-0.
The Basics:
- Game 1: Plymouth State 0, #2 Eastern Connecticut 14 (7 Inn.)
- Game 2: Plymouth State 0, #2 Eastern Connecticut 8
- Plymouth State (5-7, 0-2 LEC)
- Eastern Connecticut (13-3, 2-0 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Curtis smacked a single through the right side to open the game for the Panthers, but ECSU picked him off.
- ECSU began its offensive with two runs in the second and continued in the with an additional five runs in the third to take a 7-0 lead.
- After the Warriors put up another five runs in the fourth, Crane shot a single to left and moved up to third on a pair of wild pitches. Senior Alex Rives (Gilford, N.H.) walked, but the Panthers were once again halted.
- ECSU added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 14-0.
- Senior Bryan McGrath (Franklin, Mass.) was hit by a pitch and Crane doubled. Junior Luke Sokolski (Waterford, Conn.) walked to load the bases but the Warriors snagged a fly ball and threw out a tagging McGrath at the plate to end the game.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Senior Bobby Cliche (Stratham, N.H.) struck out three hitters in six innings.
- Crane went 2-for-3 with a single and double.
- Sophomore Ryan Williams (Merrimack, N.H.) allowed just one hit in the final inning.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- Eastern Connecticut scored in the first, but catcher Joshua Welsh (East Lyme, Conn.) threw out a would-be base stealer to close out the second.
- Sophomore Owen Baum (Saint Michaels, Md.) walked in the top of the third, but the Warriors shut down the offense and added two more runs for a 3-0 advantage.
- Senior Trey Parker (Meriden, N.H.) did not allow any runs in the fourth or fifth, but ECSU regained its momentum with a four-run sixth to make it 7-0.
- Sophomore Danny Quinn (Holliston, Mass.) broke up the no-hit bid with a single in the eighth, but once again the Warriors smothered the PSU offense.
- The hosts closed out the game with a run in the eighth.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Curtis and Quinn both singled.
- Parker and sophomore Nick Wilson (Mont Vernon, N.H.) struck out two batters each.
- PSU pitching allowed just one extra base hit in the contest.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State is scheduled to host Keene State a week from Saturday (Apr. 8) for an LEC twin bill, weather permitting.
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