STANDISH, Maine – Junior
Sam Malgeri (Stratham, N.H.) smacked a three-run homer in the top of the eighth as Plymouth State University rallied past Saint Joseph's College, 12-11, in a non-conference baseball game at Larry Mahaney Diamond on Monday night.
The Panthers used a seven-run fourth inning to build a 9-3 lead, but the Monks erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull in front, 10-9. PSU took advantage of some wildness from the St. Joe's pitcher as the first two hitters of the eighth inning were hit by pitches. After the first out of the inning, Malgeri launched the game-winning blast to put the Panthers back in front.
The hosts pulled to within one, 12-11, and had the tying run on third base after an error in the bottom of the eighth, but freshman
Greg Mayo (Boston, Mass.) got a huge strikeout, then retired the Monks in order in the ninth to earn his first collegiate win.
Plymouth State improves to 3-8, while St. Joe's slides to 3-12.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 12, Saint Joseph's 11
- Plymouth State (3-8)
- Saint Joseph's (3-12)
How it Happened:
- The Monks used a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to snag an early lead.
- PSU was held without a hit through the first three innings, but the Panthers exploded for seven runs in the fourth. Senior Luke Sokolski (Waterford, Conn.) opened the inning with a base hit and an error and hit batter loaded the bases. Junior Adrian Siravo (Gilmanton, N.H.) ripped a two-run single to tie the game at 2-2.
- Another hit batter loaded the bases and sophomore Chris Faherty (Phoenix, Ariz.) reached on an error to put PSU in front. Junior Scooter Summa (Ellicott City, Md.) followed with an RBI single and senior Jackson Curtis (Jefferson, N.H.) drove in two more with a base hit to make it 6-2.
- Sokolski, batting for the second time in the inning, drew a walk to load the bases yet again and a sacrifice fly off the bat of sophomore Brendan Flynn (Arlington, Mass.) extended the lead to 7-2.
- St. Joe's used a solo shot to get a run back in the bottom of the fifth.
- Junior Danny Quinn (Holliston, Mass.) singled to start the seventh. He was bunted to second, then stole third with two outs. A walk and another Monks' error allowed Quinn to score, and junior Owen Baum (Saint Michaels, Md.) singled down the left field line to make it 9-3.
- The Monks erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the frame to leapfrog into the lead, 10-9.
- Sokolski and Flynn were both hit by pitches to start the eighth. After a strikeout, Malgeri blasted a three-run shot well over the high wall in left field to retake the lead.
- St. Joe's took advantage of a miscue to get a run back in the bottom of the inning, but Mayo closed out the win with a one-two-three ninth to seal the victory.
By the Numbers:
- Baum finished 3-for-3 with a double and RBI.
- Sokolski reached base four times with two singles, a walk and hit by pitch. He also scored twice.
- Siravo also had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-5 and driving in two.
- Malgeri scored a pair of runs and drove in three with his first dinger of the year.
- Junior Jason Smith (Charlestown, Mass.) struck out five over his three innings of work.
- Classmate Cole Johnston (Campton, N.H.) struck out the side in the fourth and junior Nick Wilson (Mont Vernon, N.H.) also worked a scoreless inning in relief.
- Mayo picked up his first career win after throwing the final 2.1 innings and giving up just one unearned run.
Up Next:
- Anticipated bad weather and poor field conditions caused the cancelation of PSU's scheduled double header at New England College on Thursday (Apr. 4), so the Panthers will be idle until Saturday (Apr. 6) when they host Vermont State University Castleton for a Little East Conference twin bill at Robbie Mills Field in Laconia.
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