Baseball Bounces Back Behind Plummer's Complete Game

ANKTON, S.D. – Doane baseball bounced back in game two of Saturday's GPAC doubleheader, edging Mount Marty 2-1 behind a complete-game effort from Riley Plummer and a clutch day at the plate from Tanner Nelson.

After dropping the opener, the Tigers responded with a steady performance in the nightcap, improving to 29-8 overall and 14-4 in conference play. Doane totaled eight hits and got all the offense it needed from Nelson, while Plummer kept the Lancers in check over all nine innings.

Mount Marty struck first with a run in the bottom of the second, using a two-out RBI single from Jaycob Pascuzzi to take a 1-0 lead.

Doane answered in the top of the third. Adam Vulcano opened the inning with a single and Carter Roth followed with another base hit to put runners on the corners. Two batters later, Nelson lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to score Vulcano and tie the game at 1-1.

The Tigers pushed across the go-ahead run in the fifth. Roth singled with one out and moved to second on a groundout by Grant Sommers. Nelson then came through again, lining an RBI single to bring home Roth and give Doane a 2-1 advantage.

That was enough support for Plummer, who delivered one of his best outings of the season. The right-hander went the distance, allowing just one run on five hits while walking one and striking out two across nine innings. He threw 115 pitches, 79 for strikes, and retired Mount Marty in order in four different innings. Plummer also worked out of trouble in the third and stranded the tying run in the eighth before closing the door in the ninth.

Roth led the Tigers offensively with a 3-for-4 effort and scored a run. Nelson finished 2-for-4 with both RBIs, while Sam Kwapnioski added a hit and Adam Vulcano scored once. Jett Grossart also delivered a pinch-hit single in the ninth.

Doane threatened for more throughout the afternoon, drawing five walks and putting pressure on the bases with three stolen bases, but Plummer and the defense made the slim lead stand. The Tigers were flawless in the field, finishing with no errors.

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