Score: Elmira College 7, Bard College 4
Records: Elmira (4-22), Bard (12-17)
Location: Honey Field -- Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y.

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. -- The Elmira College baseball team picked up a much-needed win on Wednesday afternoon against Liberty League foe Bard College, as the Soaring Eagles posted runs in four consecutive innings to overcome an early hole in a 7-4 victory.

The win is significant for several reasons. Firstly, the Soaring Eagles snapped a 10-game skid with the non-conference triumph against the Raptors. Wednesday's victory also comes before a must-win Empire 8 Conference series, giving EC a boost of confidence ahead of an important three-game set against Utica College at historic Dunn Field this weekend.

Bard scored first, as it capitalized with the bases loaded in the home half of the third. A hit batsman and two singles put ducks on the pond, and the Raptors drove in three on a sac fly and a two-RBI base hit. Bard would get one more run before EC's Taber Carter'21 left the contest, but second-year righty received a no-decision in 5.0 innings on the mound in his fifth start of the season.

Following four scoreless innings, the Soaring Eagles posted two runs on the scoreboard in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to overcome the early hole. Mason Ryan '22 worked a full-count walk to load the bases in the top of the fifth, which was followed by a one-run infield hit from Jansen Crossley '20 and a hit-by-pitch that forced Sam Plaugher '20 home from third. Down 4-2 in the sixth, Plaugher and Ryan each collected an RBI with a base knock, evening the score at 4-all.

With two down in the seventh, Elmira received a clutch swing from Jourdan Plaisted '21, as the sophomore catcher turned around a 2-2 delivery from reliever Luke Klatke for a go-ahead, two-run double. The Soaring Eagles added an insurance run in the eighth for good measure. Plaugher led off with a single, moved to second on an error, advanced to third on a sac bunt, and scored on a ground ball hit by Crossley to the Bard second baseman.

The three-run advantage was all the EC bullpen needed to lock down the victory. Following Carter's admirable start, Mason Weir '21, Angus Adams '22, and Declan Driscoll '22 combined for 4.0 hitless innings. Weir earned the win, the first of his career, after hurling a scoreless sixth, while Driscoll closed the door in the ninth and was credited with his first collegiate save.

In Their Own Words...
Head Coach Corey Paluga on the performance of the quartet of young pitchers used against Bard...
"They pitched very well, and the results are proof. They attacked the strike zone and allowed the defense to make plays behind them. And Jourdan (Plaisted) called a very good game behind the plate."

Coach Paluga when asked about the team building confidence before hosting Utica in a crucial E8 series...
"Ride the high. We came from behind, we played to our potential and it feels good. We need to take this same focus and execute more in game one on Friday."

News and Notes

• Elmira ended a 10-game losing streak with today's win over Bard.
• Meeting for the first time since EC's inaugural season in 2015, the Soaring Eagles earned their first-ever victory over the Raptors.
• Plaugher tied a career-high and paced the Soaring Eagles with four hits on Wednesday.
• Crossley (2-for-5) and Plaisted (2-for-5) also had multiple hits versus Bard, and both drove in two RBIs.
• Mark Ryan '21 extended his on-base streak to a team-best 11 consecutive games.
• Plaugher recorded his second four-hit game of the season and has logged 14 of his 22 hits this year in eight games during the month of April.
• Weir earned his first career win with one scoreless inning of relief.
• Adams struck out all three batters he faced in his first of 2.0 innings.
• With a scoreless ninth, Driscoll posted his first save.

Up Next
Elmira and Utica are scheduled to meet in a three-game E8 series at historic Dunn Field this weekend. The series opener on Friday, April 19, will begin with a 5:00 p.m. first pitch.