John Stark junior pitcher Jack Sheppard controlled the diamond as he threw 12 strikeouts and allowed only two runs in a big win against Pembroke.
The No. 10 Generals improved to 9-9 on the season after their 9-2 win in the first round of Division II Baseball playoffs on Wednesday. Pembroke, the seventh seed with an 11-6 record, could not match the Generals’ offensive pressure and allowed five unearned runs.
“We took advantage of some of their mistakes; they took advantage of a couple of ours,” John Stark Coach Dennis Pelletier said after the win.
During the regular-season matchup, the Spartans came back from a 4-1 deficit to win. This time Sheppard locked it down on the mound and showed why he’s only allowed seven runs in 40.2 innings pitched this season.
“I felt very good coming in today with Jack pitching. He’s been pitching excellent for us as of late,” Pelletier said.
Sophomore Desmond Bogle led the offense with three RBIs and two hits, along with senior Aidan Williams scoring two runs and an RBI to help push the Generals ahead.
Pembroke senior Zachary Bemis and junior Eric Maccarone each scored a run in the third inning, keeping the game close as they entered the fourth inning down 3-2.
With the fourth and fifth innings ending scoreless, something had to give.
Even through a pitching change early in the sixth, the Generals scored six runs in the last two innings while shutting down any offensive momentum from the Spartans.
“That was a tremendous, tremendous season,” said Pembroke Head Coach Josh Coughlin. “It’s easier trying to chase getting better as you’re winning games, and you know, they did a good job winning games this year. It’s a reflection of them, because they’re all good human beings.”
Coming off a no-hitter performance last Friday, Sheppard’s dominance on the mound highlighted the Generals’ momentum.
They’ll try to ride that wave as they approach Saturday’s quarterfinal matchup against No.2 Kingswood.
“Kingswood is a damn good team, they got the Division II Pitcher of the Year going up against us, but I like our chances, I really do,” Pelletier said.
