PLYMOUTH – For the Plymouth Pilgrims it’s been a very good week.
A comeback win on Saturday over LaPorte on Saturday, a 17 inning win on Monday over Goshen, a shut out over Wawasee on Wednesday and the latest – a 7-6 walk off win over NorthWood to leave the Pilgrims in a first place tie in the NLC on Friday.
In a pivotal conference game it was Bailey Clark providing the walk off single that plated Blake Milliser with the game’s winning run for the second time this week. Clark’s two out single off Chad Sellers ended a big week for the big right hander who’s pitching performance was a key in the Plymouth win on Monday.
“We did a lot of good things we battled back,” said Plymouth Head Coach Ryan Wolfe. “One thing we preach here is if they score get on the board and get some shut down innings. You gotta battle. We did and we took advantage of an opportunity in the seventh and Bailey came up with a big hit there.”
“We’ve got some injuries but the 14 guys on our roster realize that at some point in the game they are probably going to get in there and when they are called upon they just have to get their job done at that time. And they’ve been doing that. They relish those times they can make a difference.”
It looked like it would be a long night for the Pilgrims as starter Joe Dragani surrendered a lead off homer to NorthWood shortstop Hunter Lane. The Panthers would score two in the first, one in the second, two more in the third and a single run in the fourth off Dragani on 12 hits, but battling fatigue he shut the Panther bats down for his final two innings and left with the game tied at six.
“He gave us a chance and our offense picked him up early,” said Wolfe of his starters performance. “He got stronger as he went on. He battled he’s a battler he’ll probably want to throw again Monday. That’s just the way he is.”
Cody Gamble came on to record the final three outs setting the stage for Clark’s heroics in the bottom of the seventh.
Meanwhile the Pilgrims answered with two of their own in the first, and four more in the third. Justin Drudge had a pair of hits and RBI’s for the Pilgrims and Brayden Davidson stroked a big two run single in the fourth.
Milliser led off the Plymouth seventh with a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. A single by Martin Dyrcz and walk by Jarrod Ellis loaded the bases but it appeared that the rally might go for naught after an infield fly ball put the Pilgrims down to their final out. Clark used that out wisely stroking a no doubt 2-1 single to center to end the game.
Plymouth moves to 8-5 and 5-1 in NLC play. NorthWood is now 9-3, 4-2 in the conference. The Pilgrims are in action on the road Monday at Northridge.
LINESCORE
NorthWood 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 6-12-2
Plymouth 2 0 4 0 0 0 1 7-8-2
WP – Gamble. LP – Sellers. HR – Lane (NW). 3B – V. Miranda (NW). 2B – B. Cleveland (NW), V. Miranda (NW), Frantz (P).
