CHAMPLAIN — Winning pitcher Lucas Kowalowski and Cooper Holland combined on a three-hit shutout Sunday, and Plattsburgh High recorded a 9-0 win over Northeastern Clinton in Champlain Valley Athletic Conference baseball.
It was the first loss of the season for the Cougars, who are currently ranked No. 14 in the state in Class B. Both teams entered the game with two wins already on the weekend.
Kowalowski went the first four innings, and Holland fanned five over the next three to get the save. Losing pitcher Cobe Lafountain held PHS to one run over the first five innings.
“Both starting pitchers threw very well in the game, and Cooper Holland came in to shut the door,” NCCS coach Jeff Norton said.
“Although the score ended 9-0, it was a 1-0 game until the sixth inning. The main difference became Plattsburgh finally getting some big hits and capitalizing offensively with runners in scoring position in the sixth, something we struggled with all game.
“I am disappointed with the final score because this was a much more competitive and well-played game than the score indicates.”
Kowalowski, Colin Walker and Nico Custode led the Hornets with two hits each. Holland added a triple and Walker a double.
Kowalowski, Holland (5) and Brown. C. Lafountain, G. Lafountain (6) and Wells. WP- Kowalowski. LP- C. Lafountain. Sv- Holland. 2B- Walker (PHS). 3B- Holland (PHS).
PLATTSBURH — Lucas Kowalowski, Colin Walker and Nico Custode all had two hits each for the Hornets in their non-conference victory. Walker and Cooper Holland rapped doubles.
Ryan Colburn picked up the pitching win as he went the first 4.2 innings and struck out eight.
The Hornets’ Andrew Price collected his first varsity hit.
PHS held an 8-2 lead before breaking the game open with seven runs in the fourth inning for a 15-2 advantage.
McDonald, Sutton (4) and Brenno. Colburn, O’Neal (5) and Brown. WP- Colburn. LP- McDonald. 2B- LaBella (OFA), Nelson (OFA), Walker (PHS), Holland (PHS). 3B- Nelson (OFA).
CHAMPLAIN — Pinch-runner Isaiah Surprenant scored the game-winning run on Logan Dragoon’s hard infield grounder to third that resulted in an error as the Cougars prevailed in the non-conference game.
Lincoln Perkins picked up the win in relief. He and Hayden Schad paced NCCS in hitting with two hits apiece.
“Lincoln Perkins had a big game at the plate and on the mound,” NCCS coach Jeff Norton said. “Robert McIntyre made some great plays at shortstop all game.
“I thought both teams hit the ball well, forcing defenses to be busy and make plays. Although I was not happy with our quality of play early, I was extremely proud of the fight and grit that was shown by our guys in the later innings.
LaBella, Sutton (5), McDonald (6), White (7) and Mathews. C. Lafountain, Dragoon (2), L. Perkins (6) and G. Lafountain. WP- L. Perkins. LP- White.
FORT ANN — The Spartans broke a 3-all tie with four runs in the top of the seventh and then held on for the non-conference win.
Adrian Barnes went the distance for the pitching win while striking out five and allowing two earned runs.