Mainers' Ninth Inning Spark Falls Just Short

July 26, 2012 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release


Just as it seems when the momentum for the Sanford Mainers is turning in the right direction, another slump is formed. After beating the league leading Newport Gulls on Saturday and taking game one of the double header against Mystic on Monday, the Mainers have dropped three straight after tonight s 4-3 loss against the Danbury Westerners.

The Westerners got it all started in the bottom of the second when Daniel Spingola and Tyler Gurman hit back to back doubles to plate the first run of the game.

The Mainers threatened to tie the game in the top of the third when Gavin Stark reached on an error by Westerner s third baseman, Mathew Boulter. He then advanced to second base when catcher Michael Thomas made a bad throw down to first on a pick off attempt. Jose Torralba then grounded out to third allowing Stark to advance, but not before almost being tagged out by Boulter. Stark was left stranded.

In the top of the fourth the Mainers finally got on the board to tie the game. Ino Patron who went four for five in last night s game against the New Bedford Bay Sox, continued his offensive success by roping a home run over the fence in right center field for his first round tripper of the year.

In the bottom of the fifth the Westerners got to Mainers starter Rohn Pierce again. Jake Gronsky started the inning off by reaching first on a fielding error by Anthony Hajjar at third base. He then stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Thomas. Boulter then drew his second walk of the game putting runners on the corners with only one out. Zach Shank tried to drop a suicide squeeze bunt down but Pierce was able to flip on to his catcher to get Gronsky out at the plate.

With two outs and runners on first and second, Pierce was that much closer to getting out of the inning. Mike Orefice then hit a line drive to center field scoring Boulter to jump ahead 2-1. Tom Zengle followed with another single, this time to right field giving way to Shank to cross the plate.

The Mainers were able to answer with one more in the top of the sixth. Westerners starter, Stephen Catalina got Will Cooper and Patron to ground out for two quick outs, but Jordan Hagel reached base on another error by Boulter at third. Jordan Betts walked during the next plate appearance and gave Hajjar a chance to bring a run in. He did so by sending a laser down the line into left, allowing Hagel to score and advance Betts to third. However, the Mainers weren t able to tie the game as Paul Kronenfeld struck out to end the inning.

Once again Danbury pulled ahead with an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh. Thomas and Shank both singled. Steven Rice came in to relieve Pierce with one out and two runners on. The first pitch he threw went wild advancing both runners up one bag each. Orefice grounded out to second base, but Thomas was able to head home for the Westerners fourth run.

In the top of the ninth and the score at 4-2, Jake Stinnett came in to close it out. After getting Betts to fly out for the first out of the inning, Hajjar made the game interesting hitting a solo home run to left to pull the Mainers back within one. However, Stinnett got Kronenfeld to strike out for the second out. After walking Stark, Nate LaPointe struck out on a 3-2 count.

The Mainers drop their third straight game and fall to 12-21 on the season. As the season ending stretch continues, Tripp Davis will take the hill against the Newport Gulls tomorrow night at Goodall Park in Sanford. Game time slated for 6:30pm.



New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 26, 2012


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.

OurSports Central