Plymouth posts notable victory over state-ranked Livonia Stevenson

BY ED WRIGHT
May 20, 2010, 11:25 a.m.

  Plymouth's baseball team can play with anybody, and the Wildcats proved it again Wednesday when they dropped Livonia Stevenson, the No. 4-ranked team in Division 1.

  Coach Bryan Boyd's team, which improved to 13-11, also has wins this season over Novi and Northville.

  "This is another big win for us," said Boyd. "Stevenson pounded us a week and a half ago."

  Plymouth senior first baseman Matt Priebe broke his second school record in as many weeks when he launched a game-winning, three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth with the 'Cats trailing 5-4. The round-tripper was the 11th of Priebe's high school career, breaking Brad Lineberry's former mark of 10.

  "I am so proud of Matt," said Boyd. "He has worked very hard this spring to put himself in a position to break this record."

  Mike Nadratowski (two hits, three runs) and Phil Emminger (three hits) also sparkled at the plate for the winners.

  Zach Yokom earned the win in relief for Plymouth, yielding one run on two hits in two innings of work. Ryan Nick pitched the first 4.1 innings, giving up four runs on four hits and seven walks.

  The pivotal sixth-inning rally started with two outs when Rich Guglielmi was hit by a pitch, Nadratowski singled and Priebe rocked the fence-clearing tater.

  The Spartans mounted a threat in their half of the seventh, loading the bases on a hit and two walks, but a line drive to Nadratowski in center ended the game.