Mainers come up short in 14 innings
July 31, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
Plymouth, MA- The Sanford Mainers (21-16) went into Plymouth (29-10) with a chance to keep on the heels of Northern Division leader Vermont, and needed a victory to keep northern division title hopes alive. Rich Vrana (Marist) received the start in a pivotal game; Vrana went 4.1 innings allowing just 2 runs, only 1 earned on 6 hits, 1 error and 4 strikeouts.
This one was destined for a close finish, in the previous match-up at Goodall Park it went to the bottom of the ninth a one run ball game and the Mainers fell 3-to-2 on a throw from left field to nail Cory Raley (Texas Tech) at home plate to end the game.
Sanford received 6 hits from the offense and 2 runs, only one earned as the Mainers made fortunes of a passed ball in the top of the 4th. Both teams scored in the early going Plymouth brought 1 home in the bottom of the first and the third, the Mainers responded to tie it up with 1 run in the top of the 4th and another run added in the top of the 7th as Raley led off the inning with a walk, Sam Dexter (So. Maine) pinch hit for Matt Pagano and singled to center field moving Raley first to third. Dan Hetzel (URI) grounded into a fielder's choice that the pitcher Nick Schavone hesitated with on a squeeze bunt scoring Raley standing up and the score was knotted up at 2-to-2.
The Pilgrims threatened in the bottom of the ninth loading the bases against Jon Chudy (Pace) and Chudy was able to get out of it generating a line drive to the glove of shortstop Cory Raley from Daniel Swain to end the threat and send the game to extras.
Through 4 extra innings, there were just 4 runners left on as both teams went quiet offensively. In the top of the 14th the Mainers get one on in the form of Caden Bailey (Georgia State) with a 1 out single but the Moose strand him going to the bottom of the 14th even up with the Pilgrims at 2-2. Plymouth started the inning with a walk to Ryan Xepoleas, Matt Parisi sacrificed over Xepoleas to second and the Mainers intentionally walked Michael Martin to set up a double play with 1 out. Jake Marks (UMaine-Orono) had some trouble with control against Swain walking the bases loaded. Thomas Roulis lifted a fly ball to left field just deep enough for Xepoleas to tag and score and the Pilgrims win with a walk off win the bottom of the 14th inning 3-to-2.
The Mainers pitching staff was stellar, with 15 K's just 2 walks through nine innings finished with 6 total free passes. Tyler Barss (URI) worked a scoreless 1.2 innings with 3 strikeouts, Ryan Johnson (Vanderbilt) issued just one walk in his 1 inning with 2 strikeouts, John Nicklas (Boston College) made a home coming in front of 20 plus friends and family completed 1 inning from the mound with no hits, no runs, no walks and no strikeouts. John Chudy fanned 4 batters in 3 innings surrendering just 1 hit and 1 walk, and Anthony Ciavarella (Monmouth) worked a scoreless 11th with 1 hit and 1 strikeout to keep the Mainers offense within striking distance of victory.
Sanford can finish no higher than second place in the NECBL Northern Division with this loss and Vermont can celebrate a Northern Division title. The Mainers return home today to face the Mountaineers to finish the final 4 innings of Monday's rain shortened double header and complete the 6 th and final matchup of the season. First pitch for the first game is at 4:30 pm, second game will follow.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 31, 2014
- Sheetz Delivers with Clutch Double, Swamp Bats Beat Waves 7-5 - Keene Swamp Bats
- Mountaineers split doubleheader - Vermont Mountaineers
- Mainers secure second place in the NECBL Northern Division - Sanford Mainers
- Gulls continue winning ways by defeating Muskrats, 8-4 - Newport Gulls
- Swamp Bats Beat North Adams in Conclusion of Suspended Game - Keene Swamp Bats
- Mainers come up short in 14 innings - Sanford Mainers
- Blue Sox Suffer 6-3 Setback in Danbury - Valley Blue Sox
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.
