Kevin McAvoy leads Swamp Bats to 5-0 victory over Mystic Schooners

July 25, 2012 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Keene Swamp Bats News Release


Keene N.H. - The Swamp Bats' play was highlighted by great pitching and impressive defense. Kevin McAvoy (Bryant) toed the rubber for Keene, pitching eight scoreless innings. McAvoy finished his outing giving up just three hits and striking out seven. The Swamp Bat also made three strong plays in the field to play a well-rounded game.

Keene's notable defense was highlighted by plays in the third and fifth innings. In the top of the third, with one out, Eric Yavarone (University of Connecticut) hit a hard chopper to Nelson Ward (Georgia) at third base. Ward charged the ball, picked it on a tough hop, and fired across the diamond to Mike Papi (Virginia) at first. Papi proceed to dig the throw out of the dirt to get the runner. In the top of the fifth inning, Connor David (University of Connecticut) attempted to bunt with a runner on first. Catcher Cameron O'Brien (Louisville) fielded the ball, launched it to Dylan Moore (Cypress Community College) covering second, who then threw the ball to Papi at first to get the 2-6-3 double play.

Keene broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring five runs off of Mystic starter Eric Stone (Boston College). Grant Kay (Iowa Western Community College) led off with a double, and later crossed the plate on a single from Dylan Delacruz (Central Connecticut St.). JP Sportman (Central Connecticut St.) scored on a sacrifice line-out by O'Brien to make the score 2-0. The Swamp Bats' earned their remaining three runs on an RBI single from Austin Wheeler (Georgia) and a two-RBI double by Moore. Over the last three weeks, Moore has raised his batting average from .160 to .301, where is currently sits.

Keene native Chad Rafferty (St. Joseph's College) closed, walking the first batter of the ninth inning. Rafferty then earned the first out on a long fly ball from Spencer Haynes (Central Florida) to Sportman in centerfield. The game ended on a double play. Kay fielded a rip to second, tossed the ball to Moore covering second base, who proceeded to fire the ball to first to acquire the third out.

McAvoy earns his fifth win of the season, tying for second place for wins in the NECBL. Stone gets the loss. The Swamp Bats improve to 25-11 and the Schooners fall to 6-29.

With Keene's win, and Danbury's victory over Sanford, the magic number for the Swamp Bats to clinch the division is three.

Keene is back in action Thursday night against the Vermont Mountaineers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30pm.



New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 25, 2012


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