Five-Run Fourth Propels Keene Past 'Cats in Doubleheader Opener, 8-2, Saturday

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


KEENE, N.H. - Already leading the contest by two runs, host Keene exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fourth to ease to an 8-2 victory over North Adams in the first of two seven-inning games on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.

After posting back-to-back come-from-behind wins in the two previous contests, the SteepleCats (10-11) could not do much offensively in the opener Saturday, falling to 0-2 on the year against the Swamp Bats (6-12).

Outhitting the SteepleCats by a 14-7 margin, Keene had it going early and often against North Adams starter Mike Murphy (Rider), who surrendered a season-high seven runs on 10 hits, striking out four and walking one during that span. The Swamp Bats' offense was more than enough for righty David Sosebee, who picked up the win on six innings of two-run ball, striking out three.

On offense, the Swamp Bats five different players finish with two hits, while JP Sportman led the way with a 3-for-3 showing with five RBI, including the game-changing, bases-clearing double in the bottom of the fourth to cap the biggest inning of the night for the hosts. Keene scored a run apiece in the first three innings before the five-spot, while North Adams managed a run in just the first and fifth frames.

Both sides did not wait long to strike in the first inning, exchanging a run apiece during their first at-bats of game one.

For North Adams, sophomore Daniel Bick (Georgia College) led off the game with an infield single before moving to second on a sacrifice. Then, junior Joe Landi (URI) poked a run-scoring base knock down the right field line to give the 'Cats an early 1-0 lead.

Keene hopped right back against Murphy with three consecutive singles to start, as JP Sportman drove in the hosts' first run on a base hit through the right side. Murphy got out of the jam with a lineout double play and helped himself with a strikeout to keep the match even at a run apiece after an inning of play.

The hosts would take their first lead of the night thanks to the solo home run from Lauricella before adding to that with another RBI hit off the bat of Sportman in the third, pushing Keene ahead, 3-1, after three innings.

That was just the start for the home side, as Keene tacked on five runs in the bottom of the fourth. After Murphy forced in a run on a walk and Matt Ford drove in another, Sportman blasted one to right center that bounced off the bounce, clearing the bases on the dagger double that proved to be more than enough for the Swamp Bats.

North Adams would get one more on the board in the fifth after sophomore Vinny Zarrillo (Rutgers) drove home freshman Jaconb Huckabay (UT-Pan American), but that would be all the 'Cats would tally the rest of the way.



New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 6, 2013


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