Mainers Shutout Schooners
July 23, 2013 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
At this point in the season the only goal for the Mainers is to make the playoffs. On Tuesday night they found themselves one step closer to the final playoff spot, defeating the Mystic Schooners in a 3-hit shutout 6-0.
Mainers starter Evan Hill led the way for the Moose, pitching seven strong innings, allowing only one hit and striking out four. Hill had a no hitter through six innings, but had it come to an end when Brandon Cipolla lined a single up the middle to start the seventh.
Nine straight hitters were retired for both teams through the first three innings, but the Mainers heated up the bats in the top of the fourth. Sam Balzano started things off with an infield single to short and then advanced to second on a Daniel Nevares ground out. With two outs, Nic Wilson lined a ball into the left-center field gap allowing Balzano to score the game's first run. Connor Castellano followed up with a sharp ground ball into left for an RBI single scoring Wilson. Castellano was able to reach second on the throw and then came around to score when Nate LaPointe hit a single of his own.
After collecting three runs on five hits in the fourth, the Mainers went to work again in the seventh, plating another three runs on four hits. Anthony Papio lined a 2-2 pitch down the right field line and into the corner for a lead off double. He then came into score after advancing to third on a ground out when Billy Bereszniewicz hit a ball up the middle with the infield playing in. Troy Black walked and Nevares singled to load the bases after Balzano flew out to left. Wilson got his second hit of the game when he lined another pitch into left allowing both Bereszniewicz and Black to score and push the Mainers ahead 6-0.
The Schooners had a chance to score in the ninth when Alec Keller walked to lead off the inning and Joel Rosencrance hit a double into left during a pinch-hit appearance. With no one out and two runners in scoring position for Mystic, Andrew Gallagher who had come into relief for the Mainers got Tyler Boyd and Garrett Kennedy to strike out swinging and then Matt O'Herron to pop out to second to end the game.
The Mainers have won four straight games, improving to 16-18 on the season. On Wednesday, the Mainers will play host the Newport Gulls. Nick Poore is scheduled to get the ball for the Moose with first pitch being slated for 6:30pm.
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