PLYMOUTH – It was the best of possible tune ups for Plymouth’s Pilgrims as they won in walk off fashion on a home run that wasn’t a home run by Dyllon Pavey over Knox 11-1.
With Nate Nixon on first Pavey hit a deep fly ball to left, that Knox left fielder Drew Dan appeared to be settled under for a routine out. At the last second Dan turned quickly to watch the ball fly over his head and over the left field fence. In the meantime Nixon had to hold to be sure the ball wasn’t caught, and Pavey passed him on the bases.
The Plymouth catcher was called out for passing the runner so the home run to end the game officially became a single with an RBI. It was still a welcome power show from the junior.
“He has that ability he has some power,” said Plymouth head coach Ryan Wolfe. “He has kind of a long swing but when he gets on time he really whips that through and we had a lot of good at bats tonight.”
That was the bottom line for Wolfe’s squad as they rebounded from a rough weekend on the road in Lafayette to pound out 11 hits and make every play behind starting pitcher Braydon Davidson in taking a senior night win.
“We sprayed the ball all over the field,” said Wolfe. “The two pitchers they had couldn’t have been more opposite. The first guy kind of brought it the second guy didn’t throw as hard and that’s the kind of guy that has given us trouble in the past so I thought we made some good adjustments.”
Plymouth scored eight off starter Kolen Mann and three more off reliever Peyton Rose.
Another Plymouth bat that came alive in welcome fashion was Spencer Mae-Croft who had a three hit game including two runs scored an RBI and a double.
“That’s a kid we had in the four spot but we flipped him because I wanted to get some guys in there that were putting the ball in play a little more in that spot,” said Wolfe. “But he was still getting on base and doing a lot of things. What he did tonight I know he’s capable of.”
Starting pitcher Braydon Davidson was also at his best in taking the win allowing three hits.
“He looked sharp. He’ll be on full rest coming into Saturday,” said Wolfe.
“I feel good. We are where we needed to be at this point in the year. I think we’ve gotten better. We’ve continued to improve. We need a good week of practice to go over some things we’re going to have to shore up for Saturday.”
The Pilgrims end the year at 18-10 and after a first round bye will play Saturday morning at the South Bend Clay Sectional against the winner of the round one match up between Michigan City and South Bend Riley.
Linescore
Knox 0 0 0 0 1 1-3-3
Plymouth 1 1 6 1 2 11-14-0
WP – Davidson. LP – Mann. 2B – Mann (K), Mae-Croft (P), Davidson 2 (P), Pavey (P).
