July Woes Continue, Bats Lose 1-0 in Extras
July 16, 2016 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Keene Swamp Bats News Release
HOLYOKE - The month of July has not been kind to the SwampBats (14-15) and it just got worse. Bases loaded in 0-0 game in the bottom of the 12th inning between the 'Bats and the Valley Blue Sox (16-13), Jordan Howard (Lee) misplayed and dropped a pop up in centerfield to bring home the winning run for the Blue Sox.
Dylan Sbordone (Southern New Hampshire) came in relief in the 12th inning and got two quick outs. From their one of the weirdest endings a baseball fan will see.
Sbordone hit the next three batters to load the bases and Kipp Moore (Murray St.) stepped to the plate. Moore pooped up the 1-1 pitch to right center field in the direction of Howard and Jack Morock (Iowa Western). Intially it appeared that it was Morock's ball but Howard called him off, dove late, and it fell out of his glove.
It was the first time Howard appeared in center field this season and he committed his league leading 12th error on the play.
Before all the drama in extras unfolded, a pitcher's duel took place.
Keene's Zach Hart (Franklin Pierce) and Valley's Alec Tuohy (Buffalo) started the game and put together phenomenal outings.
It was Hart's eighth start of the season and it was his best.
Tossing a season 7 innings, Hart threw 59 strikes to 27 balls, gave just 3 hits, and struck out 5. Out of the three Blue Sox's to reach base safely on Hart, only one reached scoring position and at one point between the 2nd and 5th innings, he retired nine straight.
It was up to the struggling 'Bats offense to produce just one run, however even that turned out to be too much to ask for.
Tuohy pitched well for the Blue sox, going 6 innings and giving up just 3 hits, but the SwampBats did not capitalize when they had a great opportunity.
Still scoreless in the 6th inning, Keene had the bases load with no outs. Tuohy was hanging by a thread and his catcher Moore gave him he a big boost. Moore picked off Garrett Christman (Butler) at third, who had an aggressive lead, and from there everyone could tell the pressure had been lifted off of Tuohy's shoulders. He got Ryan Costello (Central Connecticut) fly out for out number two and got Howard to also fly out for the third out.
It was the SwampBats best chance of the day and they blew it.
The loss drops the 'Bats below the .500 mark for the first time this season and they currently sit in 5ht place in the NECBL's Northern Division.
Keen has off on July 17 due to NECBL All-Star Game but will return on July 18 against the Sanford Mainers (17-14). First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 16, 2016
- July Woes Continue, Bats Lose 1-0 in Extras - Keene Swamp Bats
- Upper Valley Bests Mainers Night Before All-Star Game - Sanford Mainers
- Gulls Defeat Waves 7-1, All-Star Game Is Sunday in Newport - Newport Gulls
- Four Mainers, Broadcaster Selected for NECBL All-Star Game - Sanford Mainers
- Blue Sox Pitching Silences SteepleCats - North Adams SteepleCats
- Mainers Comeback to Topple Winnipesaukee - Sanford Mainers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
