Mainers Force One Game Play-In
August 2, 2013 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
Just under a week ago no one would have thought the Mainers would have found themselves just one win away from getting to the playoffs. Sitting behind the Mystic Schooners and the Laconia Muskrats by 3.5 games, the Moose now only have to defeat the Muskrats in a one game play-in on Saturday night to move into playoffs. That all started with a 5-2 victory on Friday night against the Muskrats.
The game featured strong pitching from both sides. EJ Ashworth looked to redeem himself from his season struggles, while Evan Rahn tried to put the Muskrats into the playoffs immediately.
Ashworth pitched a season best 7.1 innings, allowing just five hits and two runs. He struck out six and walked only one. For the Muskrats, Rahn tossed 7.2 innings, giving up eight hits, and two runs, only one run was earned.
Ashworth retired the first nine Muskrat hitters he faced, but they scored first in the fourth inning. Joe Torres led off the inning with a line drive single into right. Carter White dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but because of how slow the ball rolled down the line and with Torres off on the pitch, he was able to reach third. Jake Peevyhouse grounded a ball to second base for an out, but Torres came into score.
The Mainers answered just a half inning later. Nate LaPointe reached on a throwing error by Nick Freeberger at third. He reached third when Torres tried to turn a double play on a Scott Heath ground ball and overthrew White at second. With runners at the corners and two outs, Billy Bereszniewicz dropped a bunt down the first base line for a sacrifice, plating LaPointe to tie the game at one.
In the bottom of the seventh Freeberger hit a ground ball through the left side for a lead off single. He advanced to second when Ashworth was called for a balk. Rob Koski dug in with two outs, but found himself on first base after getting intentionally walked. Eddie Macaluso singled down the right field line bringing in Freeberger.
As the inning flipped to the eighth, the Mainers trailed 2-1. Daniel Nevares hit an infield single to third. He stole second with two outs and then stole third just one pitch after. Matt Verrier lined a ball into the left-center field gap and to the fence for a two-out RBI double scoring Nevares to tie the game at two.
With the score tied going to the ninth, LaPointe grabbed his second hit of the game, but moved up to second when Bereszniewicz grounded out for the second out of the inning. Robert Wayman reached on a throwing error by White, which also allowed LaPointe to come into score from second. Troy Black followed with a double to right scoring Wayman. The Mainers had a 4-2 lead, but scored once more on a fielding error by Taylor Drake in left.
Aaron Casper finished off the ninth inning retiring all three hitters he faced forcing a one game play-in on Saturday. Charlier Butler is expected to get the start. Game time is slated for 6:30pm.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from August 2, 2013
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