PLYMOUTH – In a game where every play was crucial it was Plymouth’s Pilgrims who were able to make one more as they took a 3-2 win over Triton at Bill Nixon Field on Thursday night.
Leading for five innings the Trojans played a very tight game but in the end Plymouth plated a run in the fifth to tie and one in the seventh to win and instead of going home with their first “W” of the campaign, Brad Hargrave’s troops went home with their fourth loss.
Triton starter Dylan Hensley was outstanding, scattering six hits and walking just two in the game, but some crucial miscues and crucial moments cost he and his team a win.
Meanwhile his catcher – Grant Stichter – had consecutive two out hits in his first two at bats that also scored runs. In the meantime, the Trojans continued to make plays and the two run lead appeared that it would be enough.
In the meantime Plymouth starter Dave Bacon was matching Hensley but Plymouth’s bats continued to be unresponsive in the new season.
“We’ve been in every ballgame this year,” said Plymouth head coach Ryan Wolfe. “We throw strikes and we make plays behind our pitchers and when they have that confidence their going to make plays behind them they can go out there and pound the zone and they’ve done that.
“We wanted to get Bacon out there and get him some work. He got behind some hitters but he made some big pitches when he needed to and guys made plays behind him.”
Bacon walked the first batter he faced – Triton shortstop Cordale Keyser – who eventually scored. Bacon wouldn’t walk another and surrendered just five hits in his first outing of the season. He gave way to Cody Gamble who shut the door on any Triton offense.
“He (Gamble) likes coming out of the bullpen,” said Wolfe. “That’s the luxury I have that once we get to the fifth Cody is the guy and they weren’t going to get any more after that.”
Cam Eveland provided a little offensive light at the end of the tunnel. As part of his two hit day he walked, stole second and scored the tying run on Justin Drudge’s single in the fifth. Eveland led off the game with a double and also singled on the day.
Plymouth score the game winner in the sixth when Elijah Nixon rumbled home from second on a big two out two strike hit from Brandon Milligan.
Other than that Pilgrim bats continue to be mostly silent.
“Maybe we’re pressing a little too much,” said Wolfe. “We’ve all done it before. They’ve all hit the heck out of the ball before. It’s not like its their first time out here. I think we’re pressing a little bit and jumping at the ball a little bit.
“I thought we were defensive even up in the count. If you’re going to take a swing, take a 2-1, 3-1 swing, you want to hit the ball hard. Some of the swings that our guys had tonight in those counts weren’t what we want to have.”
Plymouth (2-3) starts the Northern Lakes Conference season on Monday at home against Elkhart Memorial. Triton (0-4) plays at home against Concord on Friday.
Linescore
Triton 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2-5-3
Plymouth 0 0 1 0 1 1 x 3-6-0
WP – Gamble. LP – Hensley. 2B – Eveland.
