Keene Does It All On Monday Night, Sweeps Double Header Against Saratoga
July 15, 2013 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Keene Swamp Bats News Release
The Swamp Bats were firing on all cylinders on Monday night, sweeping the doubleheader against Saratoga, defeating the Brigade 15-2 in the first game and 8-1 in game two.
Keene put on an offensive display in the first game, putting up 13 runs on 16 hits, to add to their two runs and two hits they previously had.
Ryan Lukach, Hartford, was mightily impressive at the plate, blasting two solo home runs, to give him a total of three hits and three RBI.
Zach Lucas, out of Louisville, had a monster night, racking up five hits including a solo home run. Four other Swamp Bats had a multi-hit night, including Matt Ford (2-4) of Hofstra, JP Sportman (2-6) with a solo homerun from Central Connecticut State, Brian O'Grady (2-3) out of Rutgers, and Georgia's Daniel Nichols (3-5).
The offense as a whole hit .462 (18-39) during the first game.
Matthew Clancy (4-0) took over the pitching duties for Brain Hunter, who saw his start shortened to just 2.1 innings from the rain postponement. The left-hander out of St. Johns went 4.2 innings, giving up two runs on three hits and five walks with five strikeouts.
Southern New Hampshire's Joe McCarthy came on to relieve Clancy and pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth inning, so secure the 15-2 victory.
The win momentarily put both Saratoga and Keene in a tie for second place in the Western Division at a 13-13 record for both teams.
The second game began about 30 minutes after the completion of game one, and it was more of the same from both teams.
Nick Neumann, who came into the game with a 1-3 record and 6.14 ERA, threw by far his best start of the season on Monday night.
Neumann, out of Central Connecticut State University, went a season high eight innings, surrendering just one run and two hits with five strikeouts. Neumann (2-3) trimmed his ERA down to 4.37
The offense, highlighted again by Lucas, flexed its muscle. Lucas ended his night 4-5 with two RBI's, and at one point at eight consecutive hits through both games. Lucas was 9-11 on the day, raising his average 95 points to .319.
Steve Swingle, Grand Canyon University, had a nice night as well, going 2-4 with two RBI's, both coming on a fourth inning two run home run.
The offense was clicking on all cylinders Monday night, ending both games with a combined .411 (30-73) team average.
John Birkbeck, Kent State University, came on to relieve Neumann in the ninth and pitched a scoreless inning to secure the 8-1 victory.
The sweep of Saratoga puts the Swamp Bats at 14-13 on the season, the first time Keene as above .500 this summer. The win puts Keene's July record at 11-2 after going just 3-11 in June.
Also, Keene now moves into sole possession of second place in the Western Division, but still trail the first place Vermont Mountaineers by three games.
The Swamp Bats will be back on the road on Tuesday night to take on the Danbury Westerners. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 15, 2013
- Blue Sox Fall 4-3 to Waves - Valley Blue Sox
- Keene Does It All On Monday Night, Sweeps Double Header Against Saratoga - Keene Swamp Bats
- NECBL Announces 2013 All-Stars - NECBL
- Blue Sox to honor Marc Fucarile on July 18th game at Mackenzie Stadium - Valley Blue Sox
- Six Blue Sox Make NECBL All-Star Squad - Valley Blue Sox
- Blue Sox Face Waves for Final Time in 2013 Regular Season - Valley Blue Sox
- SteepleCats Weekly - North Adams SteepleCats
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