PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior
Alex Noel (Dover, N.H.) threw a complete game with a career-high nine strikeouts, but Plymouth State University dropped both ends of a Little East Conference (LEC) baseball doubleheader to Keene State College on
Senior Day at Parish Field on Friday.
Noel allowed just three baserunners through the first six innings – the lone blemish a leadoff homer in the second – while Plymouth State had traffic on the bases in every frame but couldn't break through until late. Keene State tacked on two in the seventh to extend the lead to 3-0, though PSU rallied in the eighth. Plymouth State scored twice and had the bases loaded with one out, but the Owls escaped with the lead intact after recording an out at the plate and getting a strikeout. Both teams added a run in the ninth to account for the 4-3 final.
Keene State used a six-run third to build a 7-0 lead in game two. Plymouth State got a run back on an RBI single from sophomore
Josh Worthington (Pownal, Vt.), but that was all the Panthers would muster as Keene State secured a 13-1 win.
As part of Thundercats Appreciation Day, players from the local Plymouth Thundercats youth baseball program joined the Panthers on the field for introductions and the National Anthem.
Between games, Plymouth State honored its senior class for its contributions and commitment to the program:
Ryan Williams (Francestown, N.H.),
Danny Quinn (Holliston, Mass.),
Luke Sokolski (Waterford, Conn.),
Cole Johnston (Campton, N.H.),
Jackson Curtis (Jefferson, N.H.),
Andrew Baxter (Thornton, N.H.),
Connor Dobson (South Portland, Maine),
Steven Geiger (Tucson, Ariz.),
Scooter Summa (Ellicott City, Md.),
Sam Malgeri (Stratham, N.H.),
Nick Wilson (Mont Vernon, N.H.),
Owen Baum (Saint Michaels, Md.),
Jason Smith (Charlestown, Mass.), and Noel.
Plymouth State ends the season at 6-22 (3-13 LEC), while the Owls move to 21-15 (13-3 LEC).
The Basics:
- Game 1: Plymouth State 3, Keene State 4
- Game 2: Plymouth State 1, Keene State 13 (7 Inn.)
- Plymouth State (6-22, 3-13 LEC)
- Keene State (21-15, 13-3 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Keene State went up on a leadoff homer in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead.
- Quinn singled to start the bottom half but was erased on a double play.
- Summa singled in the third but was left stranded.
- The Panthers put two on in the fourth with base hits from junior Brendan Flynn (Attleboro, Mass.) and Quinn, but another double play ball ended the threat.
- In the fifth, Summa reached on an error and Worthington pulled a double inside third base to put two in scoring position, but both were stranded.
- The Owls capitalized on a leadoff walk in the seventh to score twice and extend the lead to 3-0.
- With one down in the seventh, Malgeri had a hustle double and Worthington beat out an infield single to put runners on the corners, but PSU couldn't cash in.
- Plymouth State rallied in the eighth. Sokolski reached on an error, Quinn singled, and Curtis drove in a run with a base hit. A hit-by-pitch loaded the bases before Malgeri's single made it 3-2. Curtis appeared to tie the game on a wild pitch with a great slide, but he was called out, and a strikeout ended the rally.
- Keene State tacked on an insurance run in the ninth for a 4-2 lead.
- Worthington singled and a walk put the tying runs aboard in the bottom half. Flynn singled to cut the deficit to 4-3, but a strikeout ended the game.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Noel was outstanding, striking out a career-high nine and allowing just five hits and three earned runs in a complete game.
- Worthington finished 4-for-5 with a double and a run scored.
- Quinn also tallied four hits and scored a run.
- Malgeri singled and doubled in four at-bats and drove in a run.
- Flynn added two hits and an RBI.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- The Owls scored in the first when a runner crossed the plate during a rundown between first and second.
- Keene State put up a six-run third to push the lead to 7-0.
- Junior Andrew Faherty (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Dobson singled around a hit-by-pitch as PSU loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom half. Worthington drove in a run with a single, but Keene State got the next three batters to limit the damage.
- KSC added two in the fourth.
- Quinn singled to start the bottom half, but the Keene State first baseman snared Curtis' hard smash and doubled him off.
- The Owls plated three more in the fifth.
- The Panthers loaded the bases in the fifth on a Dobson walk, Summa single, and Sokolski walk but couldn't push a run across.
- Dobson walked and freshman Login Desrochers (Raymond, Maine) singled to right in the seventh, but a strikeout, fielder's choice, and fly ball ended the game.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Dobson reached base three times with a single and two walks.
- Quinn went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.
- Faherty singled and scored a run.
- Worthington singled and drove in a run, while Summa and Desrochers also had base hits.
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