Early Runs Key 'Bats to Doubleheader Sweep; 'Cats Drop Late Game, 6-3

July 6, 2013 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
North Adams SteepleCats News Release


KEENE, N.H. - North Adams clipped a five-run deficit in half thanks to a two-run homer off the bat of Cody Doyle (Cal State Los Angeles), but that would be the closest the visitors would pull to within, as host Keene held on late to complete a Saturday sweep with a 6-3 win over the SteepleCats in an NECBL Western Division doubleheader at Alumni Field.

Falling two games back under .500 on the year, the SteepleCats (10-12) will enjoy back-to-back off days before retuning to the diamond on Tuesday at first-place Vermont. With the sweep, the Swamp Bats (7-12) improve to 4-1 in the month of July.

Keene pounded SteepleCat starter Mark Reece (Nevada) for five earned runs over four innings to set the tone early, as Brian O'Grady led the home side with three hits in the late game. Daniel Nichols pounded a two-run homer, while Dylan Moore also finished with two hits.

That was more than enough to back starter Nick Neumann, who went five innings and surrendered just two runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking none during that span. James Connell worked a one-hit seventh to notch his second save of the year in the process.

Owning a 10-9 edge in hits in the late game, North Adams saw Doyle lead the side with two RBI, while junior Joe Landi (URI) and sophomore Vinny Zarrillo (Rutgers) led the way with two hits apiece.

Just like in the opener, Keene soared out of the gate with three runs in the bottom of the first. The hosts compiled four hits against Reece in the first frame to go up, 3-0, after an inning of play.

Following a scoreless second, O'Grady's two-run homer made it a 5-0 Swamp Bat lead before North Adams finally got on the board in the top of the fourth, as freshman Kevin Martir (Maryland) used a sacrifice fly to slice the deficit to 5-1.

After North Adams left two on in the top of the fifth, Keene would drive in another on back-to-back doubles against reliever Doug Willey (Franklin Pierce), but the sophomore righty responded with three consecutive strikeouts to send the 'Cats up to bat in the sixth.

Down by five runs, junior Joe Landi (Rutgers) led off the sixth with a single to left took second on an error. But Doyle did not wait long against new reliever Jordan Simons, blasting his first homer of the season onto the roof of the barn beyond the right center field wall, cutting Keene's lead in half to 6-3.

That, however, was the closest the SteepleCats would pull to within, as Connell worked around a hit and a stolen base to shut the door in the seventh.

After a pair of off days, the SteepleCats return to action at Vermont on Tuesday (July 9). First pitch from Montpelier Recreation Field is set for 6:30 p.m.



New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 6, 2013


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