KEENE, N.H. – Junior
Luke Sokolski (Waterford, Conn.) had three hits in the opener but Plymouth State University came out on the short end of both games of a Little East Conference (LEC) double header at Keene State College on Saturday.
Keene State held a narrow 2-0 lead into the sixth inning of the opener, but the Owls' offense erupted for 11 runs over the final four frames to earn a 13-4 win.
Senior
Bobby Cliche (Stratham, N.H.) allowed just two earned over seven innings of the night cap, but the PSU bats were limited to just six hits and the Owls added some late game offense to complete the sweep with a 6-0 win.
The game was scheduled to be played in Plymouth but was moved due to unplayable field conditions. The Panthers played as the home team, though, batting last and wearing their home whites.
Plymouth State dips to 5-11 (0-4 LEC), while the Owls move to 12-11 (3-1 LEC).
The Basics:
- Game 1: Plymouth State 4, Keene State 13
- Game 2: Plymouth State 0, Keene State 6
- Plymouth State (5-11, 0-4 LEC)
- Keene State (12-11, 3-1 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Keene State scratched single runs across in the second and third, then used a two-run shot in the sixth to go up 4-0.
- KSC added three runs in the seventh before Plymouth State got on the board in the bottom half. Sophomore Sam Malgeri (Stratham, N.H.) singled ahead of a double from senior Griffin Crane (Lancaster, N.H.) and Sokolski drove them both in with a single to right to make it 7-2.
- The Owls answered right back with a four-run eighth.
- PSU got a run back in the bottom of the inning thanks to a Keene State miscue, but the Owls added another two runs in the ninth.
- Crane doubled and Sokolski singled to jumpstart the Panthers in the bottom of the inning. Crane scored on a fielder's choice, but the next two hitters made outs to end the game.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Sokolski went 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Crane finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and scored a pair of runs.
- Malgeri and senior Bryan McGrath (Franklin, Mass.) had the Panthers' other hits.
- Senior Trey Parker (Meriden, N.H.) allowed just two earned over the first 5.1 innings but was saddled with the loss.
- Sophomore Aaron Kent (Keene, N.H.) struck out one in a scoreless inning of relief.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- Keene State had a pair of doubles in the top of the first to snag a quick 1-0 lead and later in the inning loaded the bases with one down away, but Cliche got a big strike out and a fielder's choice limited the damage to just the single run.
- The Owls added a run in the second.
- McGrath and sophomore Scooter Summa (Ellicott City, Md.) had base hits in the bottom of the frame but were stranded.
- KSC pushed across an unearned run in the sixth to make it 3-0.
- Senior Nick Healey (Campton, N.H.) doubled to start the seventh, but was cut down at third on a fielder's choice.
- Keene State put the game away with a run in the eighth and two more in the ninth.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Healey's double was the Panthers' lone extra base hit.
- McGrath, Summa, freshman Tyler Hicks (Jefferson, N.H.), sophomore Danny Quinn (Holliston, Mass.) and senior Alex Rives (Gilford, N.H.) all had singles.
- Keene State pitching didn't surrender a walk.
- Cliche struck out four over his seven innings of work.
Up Next:
- The Panthers head to UMass Boston on Tuesday (Apr. 11) for another LEC battle.
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