PLYMOUTH – It was a good day for Plymouth’s Pilgrims as they rebounded from a loss earlier in the week to take a come from behind 9-6 win over South Central at Bill Nixon Field.
After a loss earlier in the week to South Bend St. Joe, things looked tough in inning one as a couple of South Central hits coupled with a pair of Plymouth errors had the Pilgrims down 3-0 in the first inning. A double by senior Cody Gamble, followed by a single by senior Justin Drudge with a two out single by senior Elijah Nixon had the Pilgrims back in the game with two of their own.
“They (South Central) came in ready to go and when they jump off to a 3-0 lead there I challenged my kids that I didn’t think we were ready to go,” said Plymouth head coach Ryan Wolfe. “We get out of school with an early start – I don’t think we were mentally ready to go. Give them credit. They can hit. They came out and hit some fastballs early. They are going to be pretty good.
“I thought we battled. This game we got down early and came back and showed what kind of character our guys had.”
Three more Plymouth runs in the third gave them a 6-3 lead and from there they never looked back. The Satellites made a run of their own with three in the sixth off relievers Jeremy Splix and Bailey Clark, but Plymouth added an insurance run in their half of the inning and Cody Gamble came on to record the save.
Plymouth pitchers once again had a strong outing showing a depth at the position that will give Wolfe options as the season progresses.
“Brandon left a couple of 0-2 pitches up out over the plate and that’s something we worked on all winter, is that pitch,” said Wolfe of his senior starter. “He came back over the next few innings and struck some kids out on that pitch.”
The Pilgrims were also able to get their full roster onto the field, a sign of depth that will also give Wolfe options. Several other players – including lead off man Dave Bacon – showed signs of big possibilities.
“Thats what I like about this team,” said Wolfe. “A lot of guys got some action tonight. Bacon hit some balls hard and that’s why he’s there in that lead off spot. I want my lead off hitter to be a kind of mix with a little power to hit some doubles. It was good to get those guys out there get rid of some jitters and get ready to go.”
Justin Drudge had a pair of hits including a two run homer in the fourth. Gamble had a pair of hits including a double as did Braydon Davidson. Nixon also had a pair of hits and RBI’s.
Plymouth (1-1) hits the road to take on Rochester on Tuesday.
Linescore
South Central 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 6-10-2
Plymouth 2 0 3 2 1 1 x 9-13-2
WP – Milligan (1-0). LP – Noah Eaton. S – Gamble. HR – Drudge (P). 2B – Carlson (SC) Hussman (SC), Simms (SC), Gamble (P), Bacon (P), Davidson.
