PHS beats Campbellsport, avenges earlier losses
CAMPBELLSPORT – The Plymouth Panthers seem to be hitting their stride as they approach the postseason.
PHS used solid pitching and a 12-hit attack to defeat host Campbellsport, 7-3, in an Eastern Wisconsin Conference baseball game Thursday evening. The Panthers, who avenged two earlier-season losses to the Cougars, upped their EWC mark to 8-8 (11-11) and have won three of their last four.
“We’re playing some of our better ball now,” said Panther head coach Butch Cain.
“We responded well to their scoring. Up and down the lineup, we hit the ball well.”
Senior Justin Rooker made his first varsity start on the mound and earned the victory. Rooker gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits with five walks and zero strikeouts in 5-1/3 innings.
“Justin did a great job. He threw strikes and showed a lot of heart,” Cain said.
Greg Rhude pitched 1-2/3 scoreless innings to close out the game for PHS. He walked none and fanned a batter.
The Panthers took the lead for good, 3-2, with two runs in the top of the third. Freshman Kurt Schmitz singled and Ryan Klecka got aboard on an infield error. Trevor Thiel followed with an RBI double. Rooker’s groundout knocked in the second run.
A three-run fourth boosted the Panthers’ advantage to 6-2. Anthony Simanovski and Thiel had RBI singles and Klecka plated a run with a suicide-squeeze bunt.
Rathsack and Cory Thuemmler keyed the Panthers’ bats with three hits each. Thiel contributed two hits and a team-best two RBIs. Brock Reichardt led in runs with a pair.
“We had good execution on offense – bunting and moving people over,” Cain said.
“Defensively, we let our guard down. We need to understand situations better.”
PHS was guilty of four errors and the Cougars made five. Three of the Panthers’ runs were unearned.
Sam Braatz paced the Cougars’ offense with two hits. Starting hurler Matt Serwe took the loss – allowing seven runs (four earned) on 10 hits with no walks and strikeouts in five frames.
BASEBALL
| PLYMOUTH | 7 | |
| CAMPBELLSPORT 3 | |
Score by Innings Plymouth…….………..012 310 0 – 7 12 4 Campbellsport……….110 010 0 – 3 6 5
Justin Rooker, Greg Rhude (6) and Brock Reichardt; Matty Serwe, Sam Braatz (6) and Kevin Gonring. W – Rooker. L – Serwe. 2Bs – Plymouth, Trevor Thiel, Jake Rathsack. 3B – Campbellsport, Chris Weiland.
