Baseball

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Panthers exploded for nine runs in the fifth inning and went on to post a 17-2 victory over the Cadets at Garrity Field. Plymouth State (10-22) seemed to be headed to a shutout victory when Norwich (5-24) posted two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Lead off hitter Jared LeClaire and Brandon Hodge opened the scoring with runs in the first inning. In the fourth inning, PSU made the score 5-0 as Jamie Aceto, Marc McGinnis, and Dylan Mullin each scored runs.

In the explosive fifth inning, Chip Hale and Hodge both scored two runs apiece, while Josh Labossiere, Jay Keponis, Aceto, John Pogorzelski, and Mullin added the others.

McGinnis, Steve Campo, and Mullin added the final runs for the Panthers in the top of the sixth inning.

The Cadets struggled at the plate, finishing with five hits for the game. Domenic Sorrentino and Timothy O'Connor scored Norwich's only runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Plymouth State relief pitcher Ryan Hannon recorded his first collegiate win, while Norwich senior hurler John Healy took the loss.

The Cadets will be back in action on Thursday with a doubleheader at Lyndon State starting at 2:00 pm. The Panthers will also be back on the diamond on Thursday with a home doubleheader against New England College at 2:00 pm.