SOUTH BEND – For a second straight year Plymouth’s Pilgrims bid for a sectional title came up short, falling to Mishawaka by a 5-1 final.
It was a pitchers duel for four innings between Plymouth lefty start Jeremy Splix and Caveman starter Sam Fry with both teams tied at one headed to the fifth. Splix gave up just one unearned run in those four innings and surrendered just three hits. Fry was just as good scattering six hits and giving up one run in the Plymouth fifth before giving way to reliever Luke Campbell who proceeded to shut down the pilgrims the rest of the way.
“He did a fantastic job. I told him yesterday he was going to start and he said ‘I want it, lets get it,’” said Plymouth head coach Ryan Wolfe of Splix’ performance. “He gave me everything he had. I couldn’t ask for more out of him.
“It’s been the next guy up. No matter who I play where I play them it’s because I believe in them and I want them to have that confidence that they are there because we believe in them.”
In the fifth Splix gave up a lead off walk to Joe Howe and a triple by Ryan Wroblewski scored two and he scored as well on an overthrow of third. It was enough to bring the Cavemen the win who added an insurance run in the sixth.
“I told them out there you younger guys want to be more than just good at baseball, but good young men with a lot going for you as you move ahead in life that’s a senior class to look up to,” said Wolfe. “This class showed a great sense of leadership. They never quit fighting and that’s why I’m proud of this group.
“Whether it’s a new guy playing a position or a new guy on the mound we had a lot of people step up and do a lot of different things for us this year. I couldn’t be prouder of the 15 guys in that dugout. They all had a role in what we accomplished this year. This loss doesn’t take any of that away.”
Plymouth got a pair of hits from Freshman Cole Filson in his first start at third base, sophomore Jeremy Drudge had a pair of Plymouth hits and made a huge diving catch in left.
“The way our guys battled and hung in there – dealt with injuries – George (Stults) hanging in there and dealing with that injury and being able to play tonight,” said Wolfe. “The leadership of Cam (Eveland) in the dugout even though he wasn’t able to play the past couple of games. We are going to miss those seniors and their leadership.”
The Pilgrims end their year at 19-11 with a share of the NLC championship. Mishawaka will play in the LaPorte Regional next weekend.
Linescore
Plymouth 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1-8-2
Mishawaka 0 0 1 0 3 1 x 5-8-0
WP – Fry. LP – Splix. 3B – Wroblewski (M). 2B – Dennie (P).
