Blake Milliser went 2-2, helping Plymouth Pilgrims Varsity to a 10-6 victory over South Central on Thursday at Plymouth.

 

He singled in the first inning and doubled in the fifth inning.

 

Even though Jacob Frantz allowed five runs over four innings he still recorded the victory. Frantz struck out three, walked four and gave up four hits.

 

“It was a good performance for Jacob I thought.  He started getting ahead in the count which is something I harp on continually with my pitching staff.”, said Pilgrim Head Coach Ryan Wolfe.

 

South Central jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

 

The game’s last lead went to Plymouth Pilgrims Varsity thanks to a first inning rally that saw three runs cross the plate on a fielder’s choice, an RBI single by Milliser, and a hit by pitch.

 

Plymouth Pilgrims increased its lead with three runs in the second. A clutch wild pitch scored Frantz to open the scoring in the frame. That was followed up by Riley Cartwright‘s single, scoring Cody Gamble.

 

A two-run third inning helped bring South Central within three. A two-run single by Brett Walters triggered South Central’s comeback. Sturdy flew out to end the South Central threat.

 

The fourth inning started out with a spectacular catch in centerfield by junior Blake Milliser.   The Satallites go the bases loaded with two out when freshman second basemen Spencer MaeCroft made a beautiful over the shoulder catch in short right field that left the bases stranded for South Central.

 

“Those two catches were huge.  If Milliser doesn’t lay out for the first catch, that could of been a inside the park homerun.  Then Spencer made a great over-the-shoulder grab the prevented Central from scoring.  We practice that play every practice.  We call it the “bermuda triangle” drill.  It involves the rightfielder, second baseman and first baseman.   We really let the second basemen take charge unless the rightfielder can get there first.”

Plymouth Pilgrims matched its one-run fourth inning with one more in the sixth. In the fourth, Plymouth Pilgrims scored on a sacrifice fly by Cartwright, plating Milliser.

 

After pushing across two runs in the top of the fifth, South Central faced just a 7-5 deficit. An error and an RBI double by Jasper Dittmar sparked South Central’s rally. Finally, Gamble got Brayden Carpentar to strike out to end the threat.

 

It didn’t take long for Plymouth Pilgrims Varsity to answer as it scored two runs of its own in the fifth. Plymouth Pilgrims Varsity scored on an RBI triple by Justin Drudge and a sacrifice fly by Gamble.

 

One run in the top of the sixth helped South Central close its deficit to 9-6. An RBI double by JT Snyder gave South Central life. Gamble ended the inning by getting Logan Lionberger to strike out.

 

“This was a nice rebound win for our kids.  They lost a tough one to St. Joe the night before.  We kept playing hard to get the lead back and held on to it this time.”, said Wolfe.

 

It will be a full load next week for Plymouth.  They travel to Rochester & Bremen, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Come home to face Triton on Thursday.   At Coveleski Stadium on Friday.

 

WTCA will be airing the Thursday & Friday games next week.