Mainers Edge Valley in Tight Pitcher's Duel
July 7, 2016 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
HOLYOKE, M.A. - It came down to the final pitch of the night, but the Sanford Mainers (11-12) escaped MacKenzie Stadium and the Valley Blue Sox (12-11) with 2-0 win.
For the second night in a row Sanford rode an excellent start into the middle stages of the game, this time led by Nick Kuzia (Massachusetts Lowell). Kuzia controlled the Blue Sox offense through six innings of work, allowing four hits, no runs, no walks all while registering six strike outs. The River Hawk was unflappable on the hill, despite five errors committed in the field behind him.
The Mainers offense, despite 17 strikeouts, was able to produce the minimal offense needed. Sanford scored their first run in the 3rd, with two men away. Johnny Slater (Michigan) produced what seemed like an innocuous single at the time and advanced to second when Zach Jancarski (Maryland) was hit by a pitch. Todd Czinege (Villanova) laced a single back up the middle, scoring Slater from second to give the Mainers all of the offense they needed.
Mike Landestoy (Texas Christian) drove in the Mainers insurance with an RBI triple in the 6th, also with two men out. Landestoy hit a rocket over the head of Blue Sox center fielder Brennan Washington (Belmont), who watched it roll all the way to the fence to score Chris Gaetano (Monmouth) from first. Landestoy's extra-base hit was just the most recent example of the spark he's added to the Mainers lineup since joining the ball club.
Valley threatened throughout the game but never could quite punch through, stranding 10 runners, including three in a bases loaded situation in the 9th. Dalton Brown (Texas Christian) entered the 2-0 game with two men out, and two on. After a walk, Brown struck out the hot-hitting Braxton Morris (Morehead State) to end the game, and get the Mainers their second consecutive win.
The Mainers will look to start a winning streak tomorrow, July 7 at Goodall Park when they host the Mystic Schooners in their only regular season visit to the state of Maine. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM, with pregame radio and game coverage starting at 6:15 PM on the NECBL Broadcast Network. Sanford fell by way of a walk-off single the last time the two teams met.
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