Mainers Clinch Playoff Spot In Walk-Off Thriller
Published on July 30, 2011 under New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
Sanford, ME - The Sanford Mainers played their longest game of the season by both time and innings on Saturday, defeating the New Bedford Bay Sox 5-4 at Goodall Park. The win improves the Mainers to 19-20, and clinches a playoff spot for Sanford.
The Mainers scored first, bringing one across in the third. Justin Leisenheimer doubled before Mike Montville and Jack Lupo walked to load the bases. Eric Hailer drew a walk to score Leisenheimer and make it 1-0 Mainers.
Sanford added to the lead in the fifth, scoring another run. Leisenheimer singled and was retired on a fielder's choice that saw Montville reach second on a throwing error. Montville stole third and scored later in the inning on a Paul Kronenfeld single.
The Bay Sox finally got on the board in the sixth. Colin Gay doubled and advanced to third on a Mike Connolly groundout. Joshua Messier also grounded out, with Gay scoring on the play to cut Sanford's lead to 2-1.
The Mainers added a run in the bottom of the eighth. Hailer singled and stole second base. A passed ball allowed him to reach third before Marlon Calbi singled to left to bring him home and make it a 3-1 Mainers advantage.
New Bedford scored twice in the ninth to send the game to extra innings. Jake Berry singled and advanced to third on a Bradley Shaban bloop single. Shaban took second on defensive indifference and a Mike DiBiase single scored both base runners to tie the game 3-3.
The Bay Sox took their first lead of the game in the top of the 12th inning. Connolly singled and advanced to second on a Messier walk. A throwing error allowed Dan Haugh to reach and load the bases. With two outs in the inning Brett Botsford drew a walk to score Connolly and make it 4-3 New Bedford.
The Mainers answered in the bottom of the inning to walk off with the win. Calbi and Lincoln Sanborn singled with one out before Leisenheimer grounded to short. On the play Connolly threw the ball into right field trying to turn the double play, with Calbi scoring easily to tie the game. Sanborn ran through a stop sign at third on the play, causing a play at the plate. The throw beat him but a perfect slide allowed him to avoid the tag and score the winning run, giving the Sanford the 5-4 victory.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 30, 2011
- Chittenden's three-run homer propels Keene over North Adams, 4-1 - Keene Swamp Bats
- Mainers Clinch Playoff Spot In Walk-Off Thriller - Sanford Mainers
- Mountaineers Edge Danbury 3-2 - Vermont Mountaineers
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