PSU Baseball Wins One, Loses One Against UMass Dartmouth

North Dartmouth, Mass.- The Plymouth State University Baseball team made their season debut in the Little East Conference, dropping their first game to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth before bouncing back with a solid win against the Corsairs in the nightcap on Friday (3/30) at the UMD Athletic Complex. 

The Corsairs won the opening game, 3-2, after impressive pitching performances from both teams. UMass Dartmouth sophomore Karney Boff earned the win, while PSU senior Bobby Chatfield (Sharon, Conn.) fell short of victory, despite striking out nine in seven innings pitched. PSU Senior Ryan McIntosh (Lincoln, N.H.) was responsible for both of Plymouth State's runs in the loss. "We played very well. (I'm) disappointed we didn't win two," said PSU Head Baseball Coach Dennis McManus. "We hit the ball well both games. Even in the first game, we outhit them." The Panther's offensive explosion didn't erupt until the next game.

"Quite a few players, ranging from seniors to newcomers, have stepped up big and helped us win some important games," said freshman Jeff Reynolds (Nashua, N.H.).  "The team is beyond motivated. Every single player believes in this team and expects nothing less than to do big things," said Reynolds. The big things happened in the second game of the evening. Plymouth State went on a 10-run rampage in the first five innings to take an early lead over the Corsairs, 10-1. The Panthers went on to snatch the victory, 12-6, stopping UMD's comeback attempt. Senior Luke Merrill (Pittsburg, N.H.) led the attack with three hits and a pair of RBIs. Another strong contributor on the offensive side of things was sophomore Jeff Runnals (Wolfeboro, N.H.), who collected four runs on two hits. Plymouth State senior Jonathan Bishop (Woburn, Mass.) grabbed the win for the visitors following another effective trip to the mound for a PSU senior, pitching seven innings and striking out nine.  

"Everyone is staying focused. That's so key in this game. Everyone is staying focused throughout the whole game, throughout the whole practice. We're not making the silly mistakes, the mental mistakes," said Coach McManus, who believes that the Panthers' Spring Break tournament trip to Florida has helped the team learn and develop further. PSU won three of five games against tough, non-conference competition on the trip.

With the split series, the Panthers record now stands at 8-8 overall, 1-1 in the Little East Conference, while UMD becomes 9-6 overall (1-1 in LEC). Plymouth State will face off against Rivier College on Friday, April 6^th and hope to continue their improvement. "It's always a work in progress," said Coach McManus. "The day you stop thinking that way, it's time to hang it up. Always improve. Nothing's ever perfect."