Devils' Offense Slows Down In Loss To PHS
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After scoring 27 runs combined in its last two games, the offense of the Drury baseball team came back down to Earth in a 5-2 loss at Pittsfield on Wednesday.Generals' starter Ryan Grande didn't allow the Blue Devils much, holding the visitors to just two runs on five hits to pick up the complete-game victory. He struck out two batters on his way to helping Pittsfield (4-6) snap a five-game losing streak. With the loss, Drury snaps a two-game winning streak and falls to 4-6 on the year.
Things looked good for the Blue Devils early on. Senior Max Quinn gave his team a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the top of the first inning. The visitors collected two of their five hits in the first inning and brought six guys to the plate before Grande got out of trouble by allowing just one run. Drury managed just one more run on three hits the rest of the game, stranding seven runners on base in the process.
The Generals' offense quickly answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning. Justin Hopkins started things off with a double before Scott Blanchette and Chris Robaitaille followed with back-to-back RBI singles. The Devils tied the game by scoring a single run in the top of the third, but Pittsfield answered back with single runs in the bottom half of the third, fifth and sixth innings to pull away.
Quinn went the distance on the mound for Drury, allowing four earned runs on 11 hits to take the loss. He struck out three batters and walked two more on a day where the Blue Devils' defense played error-free baseball.
"We played very well defensively, and Max pitched well enough to keep us in the game, but we couldn't get the big hit when we needed it," Drury head coach Al Marceau said. "I was pleased with the effort and believe we are improving every time out. We just need a break to go our way and get on a roll."
Junior Alex Bush led the way for the Devils' offense, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Drury next plays Wahconah at 7 p.m. on Monday.