Mainers Walk-Off to Take Share of Division Lead

July 13, 2016 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release


SANFORD - The Sanford Mainers (15-13) walked-off Wednesday night, defeating the Winnipesaukee Muskrats (14-13) for the first time this season and earning a share of first place in the Northern Division.

In the bottom of the 9th, with two men away Chris Gaetano (Monmouth) doubled down the first base line, putting a man into scoring position. In an effort to create a double play opportunity, Cain Spangler (Florida International) began to intentionally walk Jordan Powell (Rhode Island), but his 1-0 pitch sailed to the backstop, sending Gaetano to third. Only two pitches later, Spangler's offering bounced off of Winnipesaukee catcher Griffin Helms' (Kennesaw State) glove to the back stop, scoring Gaetano from third base upright to win the ballgame.

The Mainers trailed for most of the game, but took the lead for the first time in the 7th. Powell knocked in Todd Czinege (Villanova) and Nelson Mompierre (Miami Dade) with a two-RBI single, who got on to begin the inning with a walk and a single. With the score 5-4, the Mainers added another run in the 8th when Zach Jancarski (Maryland) stole third base, and advanced home on an errant throw into left field from the catcher.

Sanford trailed by scores of 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 and 4-3 in the game, coming back each time. Sanford was able to out-hit Winnipesaukee (12 to 11), taking advantage of the usually sure-handed Muskrats three errors. The Muskrats entered the game with the best fielding percentage in the NECBL.

Jancarski, along with Powell and Shaine Hughes (Monmouth) led the charge offensively. Jancarski went 3-for-5, with a run scored and Powell finished the night 2-for-4 with a run scored and three-RBIs. Hughes went two-for-five, with an RBI, as the three-headed offensive monster punished the Muskrats pitching staff.

Ben Wessel (Rhode Island) started the game for the Mainers, going five-and-two-thirds, on six hits, four runs, four earned, two walks and six strike outs. Wessel got a no-decision, with the win going to Dalton Curtis (Lipscomb), who went just a third of an inning.

The Mainers travel on July 14 to Paul Walsh Field, in New Bedford, Massachusetts to face the New Bedford Bay Sox in their only visit to the south coast region of the Bay State. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM, with pregame action live beginning at 6:15 PM on the NECBL Broadcast Network and the Legends in Sanford, 102.3 FM and 1220 AM.



New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 13, 2016


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