MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Graduate infielder Brady Philibotte (Weare, N.H.) stayed hot going a career-best 5-for-6 on a day where the Pilgrims' lineup had 11 runs on 16 hits, but they fell to a strong Neumann team that put up 15 runs including seven across the final two innings.
Philibotte put the 'Grims up early with a base knock in the first inning, plating senior Ryan Cote (Goffstown, N.H.) on a single to left field. After the Knights scored twice in the bottom of the first on a home run, NEC re-took the lead in the second on an RBI single from senior Harold Martinez (Wethersfield, Conn.) and an RBI fielder's choice by Cote.
The Pilgrims scored three times in the fourth, capped by a single laced through the left side by sophomore Jaken Pellerin (Manchester, N.H.) to score both Cote and Philibotte. The lead was short-lived as Neumann used a five-run fifth to propel themselves in front, 8-6.
It was a quick response for the 'Grims as Philibotte drove in Martinez on an opposite field single and Pellerin brought home freshman Dillan Abbate (Port Jervis, N.Y.) on a deep sacrifice fly to knot the game up at 8-8.
The Knights quickly loaded the bases in the seventh behind a flurry of walks, though the damage was limited to just two runs. They picked things back up in the eighth, however, capitalizing with five more runs to seize a 15-8 lead.
Down seven, the Pilgrims showed some fight in the ninth with graduate Tyler Fenton (Wilmington, Mass.), senior Noah Winship (Rochester, N.H.), and Martinez loading the bases with three consecutive base knocks. The 'Grims scored runs on a groundout, a sacrifice fly, and a Philibotte single before the Knights finally recorded the final out of the day.
Philibotte continues to help drive the offense, driving in three runs and scoring once along with his career-high five hits in one game. Pellerin had just one hit but matched Philibotte with three RBIs.
Winship had the best statistical game of his career, setting career-highs with three hits and three runs scored in his third start of the season. Fenton also had his first three-hit game as a Pilgrim and now leads the team among qualified hitters with a .500 batting average.
The 'Grims continue spring break play tomorrow against Saint Elizabeth University at 12:00 PM at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
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