Plymouth-Saturday, April 16, marked the opening home games for both the Baseball and Softball teams of Plymouth State University. After a long and snowy winter, both D&M Park and Panther Field were left with an abundance of snow that seemed to never end. After their first week of home field play, the Softball team went (4-6) and baseball went (3-4); With a late home season start compared to last year, both teams are happy to be back playing on their home turf and demonstrating on the field that they are here to play.
Softball Bounces Back from Tough Losses
Plymouth Softball took a hard hit in the Little East Conference last Saturday when they went 0-2 against the number two team in New England, Eastern Connecticut. In the top of the seventh in game two, Eastern stole the lead with two outs when the pitcher hit a two run homerun. The losses ended a four game winning streak and pushed Plymouth to 1-5 in conference play. “The second loss against Eastern was the most disappointing loss of my career here at PSU.” Stated Senior Captain, Kortney Nedeau “We competed and it showed we can play with anyone”
They didn’t waste any time getting the losses back and won the past four home games played this week. On Monday, April 18, PSU won both home games of their double header against Lyndon State College and scored a combined 28 runs on the day. Freshman Amber white pitched the first game and sophomore, Diana Bean picked up the “W” for game two. Homeruns were hit by Junior, Allison Luisi, freshman, Denise Freitas, and Senior Kortney Nedeau.
Nedeau’s three run homer marked her twenty-first career home run and broke the schools previous record of twenty set in 2003. “It felt good, just as every other homerun does and overall it got my team back on track for the rest of the day which was the most important thing” Said Nedeau. “It’s nice to know that after four years of hard work, I am able to take this record with me after I graduate from Plymouth next month.”
The ladies kept the momentum going on Tuesday afternoon when they faced fellow Little East Conference team, University of Southern Maine. Freshman, Amber White recorded the win for both games and Homeruns were hit by Allison Luisi, Junior, Heather Blase, and freshman, Jackie Digman. The week of home games will be end on Saturday when Plymouth hosts LEC challenger UMass Boston at D&M Park. After Tuesday’s games, the Plymouth State Softball team has an overall record of (15-12) and a conference record of (5-5). They have won the past eight of ten games played!
Baseball Wins Three in a Row
“Everyone has the ability to get the job done, and that is what makes our team valuable this year” said Senior Captain, Anthony Vadala
The Plymouth State University baseball team put up a tough fight in the conference double header last Saturday at Panther Field against UMass Dartmouth when they split (1-1) in the two game home series. They lost the first game (4-3) when UMass scored in the top of the ninth but battled back in game two as they edged the Corsairs (5-4). Senior, Daniel Eagan hit a RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score at four each and had three hits overall in game two, including the game winner. Junior, Mike Cappiello went 4-for-4 and a combined pitching effort by Junior, Bobby Chatfield and sophomore, Rew Wilson secured the win for the first home victory of the season.
The Panthers kept the rhythm going strong when they faced Lyndon State College on Sunday, at Panther Field. They boys won (15-2) with sixteen hits and a homerun from sophomore, Spencer Webb. Sophomore, Joe Perry and Senior, Anthony Vadala each had a pair of doubles and freshman, Tucker Regan added two hits and two RBIs as well.
With two fresh wins in the books, Plymouth Baseball faced off against Little East Conference Rival, Keene State College on Tuesday for another home game this past week. With a combined effort at the plate, scoring five runs in the second inning and on the mound, the panthers surpassed their rival with a (12-6) win against the Owls. Senior, Bryant Lausberg threw for six innings before relievers Rew Wilson and Spencer Webb closed out the remaining nine outs.
This win broke the sixteen game losing streak between Plymouth and Keene and improved Plymouth’s overall season record to (8-19). “I believe this win against Keene was a major highlight of our season; it shows that we can compete with anyone we play against no matter who is in the lineup” stated Captain Vadala.
Plymouth baseball is scheduled to play against Southern Maine at Panther Field this Saturday, April 23. With their conference record improving to (2-6), the boys have an opportunity to keep the momentum going and win another Conference game against USM. “I feel very confident going into the game against USM” said Vadala; “We are hitting well and playing solid defensively. Everyone has been