By ALEX SPONSELLER The No. 2 seed Pilgrim baseball team topped rival Toll Gate 6-3 in the preliminary round of the Division I playoffs on Tuesday afternoon.

Pilgrim wasted little timegetting ahead, scoring three runs in the first inning and then another in the second to jump ahead 4-0.

Toll Gate was able to add a pair of runs in the top half of the fifth to cut the lead in half, but Pilgrim would respond in the bottom half of the inning with another two runs of their own to make it 6-2. Despite adding one more run in the seventh and putting Pilgrim in a jam, Kenny Rix would come on in relief to close out the win for the Pats.

Starting pitcher Jared Reminder was sharp for Pilgrim on the mound, pitching 6 1/3 innings and striking out seven batters. Camden Nadeau led Pilgrim at the plate with three RBI while Sean Gallagher and Robert Vale each added another.

Dylan Aunchman led the Titans at the plate, going 2-only one out. Smithfield would eliminate each threat and hold on to get the victory.

Hindle finished with two strikeouts in the circle for Toll Gate, while Syney Perreault got two hits at the plate.

“We just couldn't string the hits together, they were too spaced out. We had a runner at third three times, a runner on second twice, both of them had less than two outs and we just couldn't make the play to get those runs in. Unfortunately we just couldn't get the hit when we had runners in scoring position. It happens,” said Toll Gate coach Shana Willis after the loss.

“(Hindle) did a great job, she moved the ball around and kept them on their toes. She had some great defense behind her today and we’re looking forward to heading into the playoffs,” added Willis.

Willis has been pleased with her team’s enthusiasm this season and was excited to focus on the postseason.

“(Smithfield) is a great team that has solid pitching, defense and hitting. We hit a few nice balls but they got them and made the plays,” said Willis. “It just means they get to play another game, that’s all that that means. It doesn’t bother them. They don’t enjoy losing, especially the seniors, they work really hard and want to see the season end on a positive note. I’m looking forward to going to the playoffs with them.”