Middlebury dropped a 6-4 non-conference game at Plattsburgh on Wednesday afternoon. The Cardinals improve to 12-16 overall, while the Panthers fall to 10-13.
Zack Welch, Kyle Kowalowski, Joe Curcio and Brandon Humphrey each had two hits for the Plattsburgh, which generated 10 off six Panther pitchers.
Corey Johnston (1-1) pitched 7-2/3 innings for his first collegiate win in a Cardinals uniform. He allowed four runs and 12 hits while walking none. Billy Davis earned his second save in dramatic fashion, relieving Joey Painter and inheriting three base runners. Davis was able to induce Gabe Broughton hitting a ground ball back to the mound, where Davis fired to Humphrey at home plate for the second out and then on to Kowalowski at first base to complete the historic double play.
Middlebury pounded out 12 hits, led by Mark Shimrock and Tim Dillon with two apiece. Shimrock belted a two-run homer over the right field fence in the eighth inning to pull within 5-4.
The Cardinals got an insurance run in the bottom half when John Campbell and Kevin Gent pulled off a successful double-steal of second and home, respectively.
After Plattsburgh struck first with a run in the opening frame, Middlebury made it 2-1 in the second when Erich Enns tripled home Donald McKillop and Dillon added an RBI single.
The Cardinals reclaimed the lead for good in their home half, 3-2. Campbell knocked in a run when he reached on a fielder's choice and Kowalowski followed with a RBI single.
