CLERMONT, Fla. – Plymouth State University got strong pitching performances in all three of its contests at THE Spring Games at Legends Way Ballfields on Thursday, as the Panthers went 1-2 against Smith College, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and SUNY Geneseo.
Freshman
Allie Cecere (Plainville, Mass.) struck out six and senior
Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) delivered multiple clutch hits as the Panthers topped Smith, 4-1, in the opener. Nezuch drove in three runs, including a pair of two-out RBI hits, while senior
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) reached base three times, stole three bases and scored three runs in the win.
The Panthers were edged by Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 1-0, in game two. Both pitchers were in control throughout, with the Pointers scoring the lone run in the bottom of the third inning. Graduate student
Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) allowed just two base hits over the final four innings – with both runners caught stealing – but PSU was unable to score.
Plymouth State closed out the day with a wild 3-2 setback to Geneseo in 10 innings. Nezuch struck out a career-high eight hitters and allowed just one earned run in nine-plus innings. Junior
Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) made a diving catch to keep the game scoreless in the top of the seventh inning, and both teams scored the automatic runner in the eighth. Geneseo scored twice in the 10th. PSU answered with a run in the bottom half and had the tying run at second, but the game ended on a bang-bang play at first.
Plymouth State ends the day at 3-7. Smith moves to 3-3, UWSP improves to 9-4, and Geneseo stands at 4-3.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 4, Smith 1
- Plymouth State 0, UWSP 1
- Plymouth State 2, Geneseo 3 (10 Inn.)
- Plymouth State (3-7)
- Smith (3-3)
- UWSP (9-4)
- Geneseo (4-3)
How it Happened (Smith):
- Nezuch delivered a two-out, two-strike RBI single in the bottom of the first to give PSU a 1-0 lead.
- Smith tied it with a two-out rally in the second.
- Nezuch's sacrifice fly in the third put the Panthers back in front, 2-1.
- Bessette singled in the fifth, then scored when Nezuch came through with another two-out hit to make it 3-1. Junior Kennedy Michaud (Auburn, N.H.) followed with a two-strike double to score Nezuch from first, extending the lead to 4-1.
- Cecere retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh innings to seal the win.
By the Numbers (Smith):
- Bessette reached base three times (two singles, one walk), stole three bases and scored three runs.
- Nezuch went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and a run scored.
- Cecere struck out six and allowed just four hits and a run in the complete game victory.
- Plymouth State leads the all-time series, 3-2. This was the first meeting since the 2006 season.
How it Happened (UWSP):
- Bessette beat out bunt singles in the first and third innings. She was stranded in the first and caught stealing in the third, breaking a streak of 22 straight successful attempts dating back to last season.
- UWSP got on the board in the bottom of the third, doubling down the line to start the inning and scoring on a two-out double that was nearly caught.
- Antrim allowed just two singles the rest of the way, but PSU was unable to score.
By the Numbers (UWSP):
- Bessette was the only Panther to reach base, finishing 2-for-2 with a pair of singles.
- Antrim allowed just five hits and struck out four but suffered the loss. She threw just 75 pitches.
- UWSP leads the series, 3-1.
How it Happened (Geneseo):
- Geneseo put the first two runners on, but Nezuch struck out two to escape unscathed.
- PSU had runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the first but could not score.
- Nezuch got a huge strikeout to strand two runners in scoring position in the fourth.
- Geneseo got a leadoff double in the seventh, and a wild pitch moved the go-ahead run to third. Nezuch induced an infield popup and struck out the next batter, and Couch made a diving snag on a sinking liner to keep the game scoreless.
- The Knights scored a run on a sacrifice fly in the eighth, but Couch delivered a game-tying RBI single in the bottom of the inning to extend the game.
- Geneseo had a great opportunity in the ninth. With runners on second and third and no outs, Nezuch froze the batter for a key strikeout. The next hitter flew out to center, and the runner at third was doubled off after leaving early.
- The Knights had second and third with no outs again in the 10th. Senior Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) made a strong throw home, and senior catcher Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) applied a great tag to cut down a run at the plate, but a sacrifice fly and RBI triple gave Geneseo a 3-1 lead.
- Michaud singled to put runners on the corners in the bottom of the inning. PSU scored a run on a double steal, but Geneseo got the trail runner for the first out. E. Bessette singled and moved into scoring position on a groundout before Geneseo escaped on a bang-bang play at first to end the game.
By the Numbers (Geneseo):
- E. Bessette reached base twice with a single and walk.
- Couch singled, reached on an error and drove in a run.
- Nezuch allowed just one earned run over nine innings-plus innings and struck out a career-high eight.
- This was the first meeting between the two teams.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State closes out the Florida trip with games against Plattsburgh State and Worcester State on Friday (Mar. 20).
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