PSU wins home opener at Robbie Mills

LACONIA — Plymouth State University beat UMass–Boston in a matchup that more closely resembled a home run derby than a typical baseball game at Robbie Mills Field.

The big bats of Plymouth State proved too much for UMass Boston in 13-9 win for the Panthers on Tuesday night in Laconia. Plymouth State is hosting all of their home games at Robbie Mills Field this season.

Plymouth State (7-9, 3-3 Little East Conference) hit four home runs including a three-run homer in their first home game of the season.

Heavy rains and floodwaters earlier this spring rendered Plymouth State's baseball diamond unusable, forcing them to host their games at Robbie Mills Field off of Meredith Center Road. 

Robbie Mills Field has played host to plenty of baseball in the past. The Winnipesaukee Muskrats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League played there from 2010 until the team disbanded in 2022. 

Robbie Mills, which is owned by the city of Laconia, is protected from flooding because it's positioned atop a large hill, which made it an ideal alternative for the Panthers to play their games. 

"… It’s been hard to find rhythm, we haven’t played much, the weather’s been killing us,” Plymouth State Head Coach Ryan McIntosh said. “We played a few games in a row here and the bats are waking up so that’s what’s carried us for the past few games for sure.”

The visiting Beacons (18-9, 8-2) hit two home runs of their own and started the game off strong with a three-run strike deep into the outfield. 

But Plymouth State, now on a four-game winning streak, couldn’t be stopped as they sent shot after shot over the outfield fence.

Freshman player Josh Worthington of Vermont had three hits including a three-run home run and three RBIs and Plymouth State scored seven runs in the bottom of the first inning to overcome the lead produced by the Beacons at the top of the inning. 

McIntosh said the field at Robbie Mills is small which contributed to his players having a big night at the plate. 

“I could tell you that it’s a pretty small park with a metal bat for sure, but it’s great under the lights for night games,” he said. “We’re calling it our home this spring, so, first real home game and the energy was there.”

After the victory, Coach McIntosh said he’s confident the team will continue its success as the season progresses.

“[My confidence is] really good right now,” McIntosh said. “I think our pitching has been strong the whole year, now that the bats are alive, we’re on a four-game win streak heading into Thursday and a big weekend in the conference, so I’m really confident where we’re going to end up here soon.”

Starter Tyler Hicks pitched 4 2/3 innings, struck out two batters, and allowed nine hits and seven runs. Three Plymouth State pitchers struck out Beacons batters eight times, but gave up 18 hits in the nine-inning contest. 

The Plymouth State team includes sophomore pitcher Jack Gintoff of Meredith and pitcher Adrian Siravo, a junior from Gilmanton. Gintoff played in high school at Inter-Lakes, and Siravo played at Gilford. 

Siravo said he’s happy to be playing baseball close to where he grew up. 

“It feels good to be back home. I recently played ball in Texas out at Weatherford College, but it feels really good to be back in the state and playing school ball,” Siravo said. “I think I might have some family pop out today.”

He said the jump from high school to college baseball is an exciting challenge. 

“Personally, I would have to say that it’s just a different level of competition. I feel like it doesn’t matter what division you are,” he said. “Whether it’s JUCO or Division I, when it comes to D3 ball and the Little East, there’s a lot of good bats out there, so it’s definitely a slept-on league, and I feel like there’s a lot of good competition in the Little East.”

Gintoff agreed that the level of competition can be a big step for players. 

“I’d definitely say the competition [is the biggest difference], the game’s just faster, you have to be able to adjust. It’s a big difference, but I love it — it’s fun,” Gintoff said, also adding that he’s happy to be playing close to home.

"It’s great to be back home, first game, it’s actually, like, somewhat local, somewhat close," he added. "It’s just like, five minutes away from my house, so it feels just like home. Hopefully, we can get on the winning track and keep it going.”

Gintoff said his family and some of his former high school teammates are planning to watch his games at Robbie Mills Field this season. 

“We’re looking to play every game like it’s our last. I wouldn’t say we have a goal yet, but I know that the goal is definitely to make playoffs and I know that it’s obviously to win a Little East Championship, but it’s game-by-game at the moment,” Siravo said. 

“One-hundred percent game-by-game and the sky’s the limit for us,” Gintoff agreed. 

Siravo said baseball in the Lakes Region should not be ignored. 

“Shoutout to the Lakes Region," he said, "nobody knows but we’re slept on up here."

The Panthers are scheduled to play next at Robbie Mills Field on April 21 at 1 and 4 p.m. in a doubleheader against Vermont State Castleton. Admission is free.