LACONIA, N.H. – Sophomore
Brendan Flynn (Arlington, Mass.) drove in six runs in the opener and junior
Sam Malgeri (Stratham, N.H.) reached base five times in game two but Rhode Island College got past Plymouth State University in a Little East Conference (LEC) double header at Robbie Mills Field on Saturday.
Flynn launched a three-run homer during a six-run third in the opener, as PSU erased an early deficit for a 7-5 lead. Flynn added an RBI double in a three-run fourth, then smashed a two-run single in the fifth as the Panthers extended the lead to 13-6. RIC chipped away in the sixth, then tied the game with a three-run blast in the seventh before tacking on insurance runs in the eighth and ninth for a 17-13 win.
RIC built up a 7-0 lead over the first three innings of game two, but the Panthers clawed back in the fourth. An Anchormen's error allowed two runs to score, and sophomore
Chris Faherty (Phoenix, Ariz.) and graduate student
Alex Rives (Gilford, N.H.) added run-scoring singles to pull within 7-4. RIC tacked on three runs in the seventh. The Panthers scored once and had the bases loaded with one down in the bottom of the inning but couldn't pull closer and RIC got the run back in the eighth for an 11-5 lead. PSU plated a run in the bottom of the ninth, but the visitors worked out of a bases-loaded jam to hold on for the 11-6 win.
Between games, Plymouth State honored its senior class for their contributions to the baseball program;
Jack Marsden (Broadalbin, N.Y.),
Luke Sokolski (Waterford, Conn.) and
Jackson Curtis (Jefferson, N.H.).
Plymouth State slides to 9-15 (4-9 LEC), while the Anchormen even out at 15-15 (5-8 LEC).
The Basics:
- GAME ONE: Plymouth State 13, Rhode Island College 17
- GAME TWO: Plymouth State 6, Rhode Island College 11
- Plymouth State (9-15, 4-9 LEC)
- Rhode Island College (15-15, 5-8 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- RIC scored twice in the second, but an RBI ground out from sophomore Andrew Faherty (Phoenix, Ariz.) in the bottom of the frame cut the deficit in half.
- The Anchormen scored three unearned runs in the third to go up 5-1.
- PSU rallied back in the bottom of the frame. An error and back-to-back singles loaded the bases and Sokolski drove in two runs with a single. Flynn followed with a three-run shot to put the hosts in front, and junior Owen Baum (Saint Michaels, Md.) drove in a run later in the inning to make it 7-5.
- RIC came back with a run in the fourth, but Plymouth State responded with a three-run bottom of the inning. Rives singled and Sokolski was hit by a pitch before Flynn knocked in a run with a double. Junior Danny Quinn (Holliston, Mass.) followed with a two-run double to extend the lead to 10-6.
- Flynn came through again in the fifth as he ripped a two-run single to right and Quinn's sacrifice fly pushed the lead to 13-6.
- RIC began the comeback with three runs in the sixth, and then pulled even with a three-run blast in the seventh.
- PSU loaded the bases in the seventh but couldn't push the lead run across and the Anchormen went up with a run in the eighth.
- RIC tacked on some insurance in the ninth and PSU was unable to rally.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Flynn finished 4-for-6 with a double and homer, six RBIs and two runs scored.
- Rives went 3-for-6 with three runs from the leadoff spot.
- Curtis has a two-hit game with two runs scored and a walk, while Sokolski singled, walked, scored three times and drove in two.
- Quinn was on base three times with a double and two walks, driving in three.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- RIC used back-to-back homers in the first to grab a quick 3-0 lead.
- The visitors added three runs in the second and another in the third to push the margin to 7-0.
- PSU battled back in the fourth. Flynn walked and singles from Malgeri and A. Faherty loaded the bases. Freshman Josh Worthington (Pownal, Vt.) reached on a fielder's choice and a throwing error allowed two runs to score. C. Faherty and Rives added run-scoring singles in the frame to cut the deficit to 7-4.
- RIC extended the lead with three runs in the seventh.
- Two walks and an error allowed PSU to load the bases in the bottom of the inning. A. Faherty worked another walk to force in a run, but RIC got out of the jam with two strikeouts.
- The visitors added an insurance run in the top of the eighth to make it 11-5.
- Plymouth State loaded the bases on three consecutive hit by pitches in the bottom of the ninth. After back-to-back strikeouts, Baum poked a single through the right side, but a flyout ended the rally.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Rives went 2-for-5 with a walk and RBI.
- Malgeri reached base five times with two singles, two walks and a hit by pitch.
- Junior Jason Smith (Charlestown, Mass.) allowed just one unearned run over the final 2.1 innings.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to UMass Boston for another league game on Tuesday (Apr. 30) at 3:00 p.m.
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