Mainers Comeback to Win in Extras over Winnipesaukee
June 26, 2022 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
LACONIA, Nh. - No lead is ever safe.
After three innings Sanford trailed the Winnipesaukee Muskrats, 9-1. However, behind nine unanswered runs and Brady Afthim's (UConn) stellar performance out of the bullpen the Mainers would win it in 11 innings, 10-9.
Just like the night, prior the Mainers took the first lead of the game as Quinn McDaniel (Maine) scored off the RBI single from David Bermudez (Manhattan), 1-0.
The Muskrats would waste no time getting back on top and chased Sanford starter Coleman Willis (Georgia) after just two outs. An RBI double from Patrick Roche (Boston College) drove in Christian Mercedes (Southern New Hampshire), Kohl Abrams (UNC-Asheville) came in on a wild pitch and Roche would score on a groundout, 3-1.
Once again in the second Winnipesaukee would put up three runs. Jacob Corson (Bucknell) would bring in Mercedes and Abrams on a double, he would later score on the sac fly from Ian Battipaglia (Franklin Pierce), 6-1.
An inning later the Muskrats would get their eight-run cushion. Tyler Grodell (Mount St. Mary's) made it home on a wild pitch, Roche would deliver again by driving in Mercedes and Roche on a single.
The Mainers would cut into the lead in the fourth off a double from Alex Knapp (George Mason), allowing Bermudez and Kevin Skagerlind (UMass) to score, 9-3.
Gavin Stellplug began the string of dominance from Sanford's bullpen by going three innings, striking out three, and giving up one hit.
In the sixth, the Mainers would pull closer once again. Knapp got things going on his ground ball that got away from the second baseman, bringing in Bermudez and MJ Lucas (UNC-Asheville). Then, McDaniel drove in Skagerlind on an RBI single. Finally, Knapp would score on the sac fly from Matthew Polk (Vanderbilt), 9-7.
Afthim would then enter the game in the seventh and started mowing down Muskrat hitters and keeping the score within striking distance.
In the ninth, the green and yellow would tie it. First, an RBI single from Skagerlind brought the deficit down to one, and then a walk with the bases loaded by McDaniel tied it at 9, sending it to extra innings.
Both sides had chances in the tenth but it remained tied going to the eleventh.
In the top half, Lucas scored on a wild pitch to give Sanford its first lead since the opening inning. In the bottom half, it was the Afthim show once again, as he struck out the side to complete the comeback.
Afthim would pick up the win after going five innings with 12 strikeouts, giving up a pair of hits and walks.
The Moose have now won six of the last seven and are 7-10, while Winnipesaukee falls to 7-8.
Next up for the Mainers is a rematch with the Muskrats tomorrow night at Goodall Park. The first pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. with Bryce Afthim (Southern Maine) expected to be the starter.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 26, 2022
- The NECBL Daily Rundown - NECBL
- Mainers Comeback to Win in Extras over Winnipesaukee - Sanford Mainers
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