MIDDLEBURY – It was a step in the right direction, in spite of it being a loss as the Plymouth Pilgrims dropped a tough final NLC contest at Northridge 3-1.

 

While Raider starter Andrew Kennedy was too much for Plymouth hitters to handle they battled throughout and seemed to recover from recent defensive lapses that have been deadly. Plymouth made big defensive plays behind starter Brayden Davidson – including a bases loaded double play in the fifth – to give themselves a chance to the final at bat.

 

“We battled against one of the top if not the top pitcher in the conference,” said Plymouth head coach Ryan Wolfe. “We hit some balls hard and were able to get one across there. It was a good battle. The last couple of games there we didn’t play Plymouth baseball and tonight we did a great job.”

 

A lead off double in the third by Nick Hooley led to an RBI single by Grant Miller to score the Raiders first run. Another lead off double by Payton Carson in the fifth led to what would be the eventual game winner, that crossed on an error.

 

Caleb Mikesell got the first Plymouth hit off Kennedy in the fourth. They were finally able to push a run across in the sixth to pull within one when Cam Eveland singled, stole second and scored on Davidson’s single.

 

As good as Kennedy was Davidson was just as good.

 

“Brayden battled all night,” said Wolfe. “He looked as good tonight as he has all season. I thought our lineup got some good swings. I thought they were excited to get up to the plate tonight. I knew tonight it would probably be a pitchers duel and it was going to be the team that could get a couple across.”

 

It was a positive end after a rough week as the Pilgrims followed a seven error performance a night earlier with some solid defensive play. With a big weekend of baseball at McCutcheon High School over the weekend, it was a step forward.

 

“It’s all I asked the guys before the game. Let’s go out and play well and do what we’ve done all year,” said Wolfe. “The last couple games aren’t reflective of what we’ve done all year. They showed up tonight. It was good to see them play the way we know we can play.”

 

Plymouth has a night off before heading to Lafayette for a weekend tournament that will see them face McCutcheon on Friday night and Columbus North and Crown Point on Saturday.

 

LINESCORE

Plymouth 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1-3-2

Northridge 0 0 1 0 1 1 x 3-7-0

WP – Kennedy. LP – Davidson. 2B – Hooley (N), Carson (N), Troyer (N).