PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Griffin Crane (Lancaster, N.H.) and sophomore
Sam Malgeri (Stratham, N.H.) blasted home runs well over the high fence in right field, but the University of Massachusetts Boston powered past Plymouth State University, 18-5, in a Little East Conference (LEC) baseball game at Parish Field on Thursday afternoon.
The Beacons came out swinging to grab a first inning lead and continued to add on throughout. Crane launched a three-run blast into the trees in right field in the fifth, and two batters later Malgeri pummeled a ball over the tops of the trees in a four-run outburst, but the deficit was too large to overcome.
Plymouth State moves to 10-17 (2-9 LEC), while the Beacons improve to 20-13 and 8-3 in league play.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 5, UMass Boston 18 (7 Inn.)
- Plymouth State (10-17, 2-9 LEC)
- UMass Boston (20-13, 8-3 LEC)
How it Happened:
- UMass Boston came out swinging to put a crooked number on the board in the first for a quick 7-0 lead.
- PSU loaded the bases in the second on a pair of walks and a hit batter, but the Beacons' pitcher recovered to strike out the next three batters.
- Senior Alex Rives (Gilford, N.H.) smashed a double to the left field fence to start the third. Junior Luke Sokolski (Waterford, Conn.) worked a one-out walk and senior Bryan McGrath (Franklin, Mass.) dunked an RBI single into right to get the Panthers on the board. After a strikeout, senior Nick Healey (Campton, N.H.) took ball four to load the bases, but Malgeri's drive was run down by the centerfielder.
- The visitors put up back-to-back four spots in the fourth and fifth innings to extend the lead.
- Sokolski beat out an infield hit and McGrath ripped a single to left to start the bottom half. Crane followed with a laser three-quarters of the way up the trees in right field. One out later Malgeri launched a solo shot over the trees in right for his second of the year to cut into the margin.
- UMB countered with three runs in the sixth to account for the final score.
By the Numbers:
- Malgeri singled and homered in four at bats, while Crane finished 1-for-3 with his three-run shot.
- McGrath had two hits (2-for-3) and a walk in his return to the lineup.
- Sokolski (single, walk) also reached base twice.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State closes out the home portion of its schedule with an LEC double header against UMass Dartmouth on Friday (Apr. 28). First pitch for the opener is 11:00 a.m., with Senior Day ceremonies to take place between games.
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