BOSTON, Mass. – Junior
Luke Sokolski (Waterford, Conn.) had three hits, including a pair of doubles, but the University of Massachusetts Boston topped Plymouth State University, 11-5, in a Little East Conference (LEC) baseball game at Monan Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Sokolski had three hits for the second time in the last three games and the Panthers battled back from an early deficit, but UMass Boston scored seven runs over the last four frames to take the win.
Plymouth State slides to 5-12 (0-5 LEC), while the Beacons are 15-8 and 5-0 in the LEC.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 5, UMass Boston 11
- Plymouth State (5-12, 0-5 LEC)
- UMass Boston (15-8, 5-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The Beacons grabbed a run in the bottom of the first for a quick lead.
- Senior Griffin Crane (Lancaster, N.H.) smacked a leadoff double in the top of the second, but was stranded.
- PSU took the lead with a three-run third. Senior Alex Rives (Gilford, N.H.) walked and stole second, then raced home after a throwing error by the Beacons. Another error and walk loaded the bases and Sokolski ripped a two-out double to the gap in left centerfield to plate two more for a 3-1 lead.
- The lead was short-lived, though, as the hosts answered right back with three runs in the bottom half to go back in front, 4-3.
- UMass Boston added to the lead with a run in the fifth, then pushed the margin to 8-3 with a three-run sixth.
- PSU got two runners in scoring position in the seventh after senior Bryan McGrath (Franklin, Mass.) doubled and Crane walked. The pair moved up on a wild pitch but were stranded there.
- The Beacons made it 9-3 with a run in the bottom of the frame.
- Junior Joshua Welsh (East Lyme, Conn.) singled in the eighth and back-to-back walks loaded the bases with two down. Sophomore Danny Quinn (Holliston, Mass.) knocked in two with a single to center to cut the deficit to 9-5.
- UMass Boston tacked on two more with a homer in the bottom of the inning to account for the final score.
By the Numbers:
- Sokolski went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI.
- Welsh had a pair of singles in as many at bats.
- Crane doubled and had three walks, while Rives walked three times and scored a pair of runs from the leadoff spot.
- Four of the Panthers' eight hits went for extra bases.
- Freshman Tyler Hicks (Jefferson, N.H.) worked the first five innings and suffered the loss.
Up Next:
- The Panthers make the short trip to Colby-Sawyer for a non-conference game on Thursday (Apr. 13). First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.
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