Manitowoc Lincoln rallied from a two-run deficit to defeat Plymouth by a score of 7 to 2 in a non-conference baseball game played Friday afternoon at Bruce Steinbecker Field in Manitowoc.
Attendance was very good despite the conditions as Ships players from various genres were recognized on “Alumni Day,” highlighted by soon-to-be 92-year-old Bob Lutz, who played for the Ships in the early 1950’s, throwing out the first pitch.
The game was scoreless until the top of the fourth inning when the Panthers scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning on a two-run single by Charlie Monkoski.
Manitowoc Lincoln’s offense, which hadn’t produced a run for 11 plus innings, finally erupted in the bottom of the fifth.
They scored seven runs on six hits, highlighted by Bentley Henrickson’s three-run homer that put the Shipbuilders ahead to stay.
Henrickson, Cade Grapentine, and Turner Sorenson each had two hits as part of a nine-hit attack for Manitowoc Lincoln. The Ships were also aggressive on the basepaths, stealing four bases, and played errorless ball.
Grapentine earned the win by pitching six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, walking two, and striking out three. Nick Minikel pitched the seventh, allowing nothing and striking out one.
Liam O’Toole took the loss for Plymouth, pitching four-and-a-third innings, allowing all seven Ship runs (six earned) on nine hits, walking one, and striking out none.
The Ships have won four of their last five to improve to 8-6 and return to FRCC play Monday afternoon when they host Notre Dame Academy of Green Bay at 4:30 p.m.
