Blue Sox Edge Mainers on Opening Day
Published on June 6, 2013 under New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
It's a brand new season and the Sanford Mainers are hoping to turn this year in a different direction than last. After finishing 15-26, Mainers head coach Aaron Izaryk put together a new squad with some returners for a new quest of the NECBL's Fay Vincent Cup.
The Mainers played host to the Holyoke Blue Sox on Opening Day, but the result didn't end the way the green and yellow would have liked, as the Blue Sox went on to win 4-1.
Pitching and defense were the name of the game for both teams. EJ Ashworth who is returning to the Mainers for his second summer got the start and matched up against Holyoke's Jordan Hillyer.
Ashworth was credited with the loss, but pitched six solid innings despite a rough outing in the fourth. He gave up all four runs on six hits while striking out four and walking only one.
Hillyer's final line was almost identical to Ashworth's with the exception of the run total. He lasted six innings allowing the sole run put up by the Mainers on six hits. He struck out five and walked two.
It was shut-out ball until the top of the fourth when Holyoke hit the board. Ashworth gave up a lead off walk to Mike Ahmed who then stole second during the next at bat.
With runners on the corners and one out after an infield single, Jason Lombardozzi singled to left scoring Ahmed. Ashworth then hit Blue Sox catcher, Joel Fisher to load the bases. Maezes scored on a wild pitch and was followed by Lombardozzi on a Justin Morhardt RBI ground out to make it 3-1. The final run came on a double to right field scoring Fisher.
The Mainers would get their only run in the bottom of the fifth. After a lead off single and a fielder's choice, Troy Black was credited with an infield single advancing Sam Balzano to second. Balzano advanced ninety feet to third on a passed ball and later scored on an RBI ground out off the bat of Jake Thomas.
Both teams had equal opportunity to add runs to their respective side of the board, but both team's bullpens and defense shut down the rest of the game.
The Mainers will be home again tomorrow night to face the defending NECBL Champions, the Newport Gulls. Game time slated for 6:30pm. Conor Krauss is expected to take the hill.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 6, 2013
- Newport Raises Banner, Falls to New Bedford in 2013 Opener - Newport Gulls
- Squier, Severino Lead 'Cats to Rain-Shortened 8-0 Win on Opening Night - North Adams SteepleCats
- Keene Swamp Bats Fall in Season Opener - Keene Swamp Bats
- Blue Sox Edge Mainers on Opening Day - Sanford Mainers
- Blue Sox Open 2013 NECBL Season at Sanford - Valley Blue Sox
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