Nighthawks Stunned as Blue Sox' Erase Three-Run Deficit in the Ninth
June 20, 2018 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Upper Valley Nighthawks News Release
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt.- The Upper Valley Nighthawks squandered a three-run lead as the Valley Blue Sox came roaring back in the ninth inning to earn the victory.
Following the loss, the Upper Valley Nighthawks drop to 8-4 in 2018, while Valley improves to 8-3 and moves into a two-team tie with the Sanford Mainers for the top spot in the Northern Division.
Keeping the Blue Sox off the board for the first eight innings of the game, the Nighthawks used timely hitting a strong start from Levi Thomas to jump out to a 3-0 advantage. Thomas went five innings, allowed two hits and struck out five Valley batters in the no-decision. He did not allow a hit through the first 3.2 innings.
Initially taking the lead in the last of the second, Riley Smith drove in Ross Cadena via a sacrifice fly to center. The latter led off the inning with a base knock before advancing around to third.
Cadena continued to lead the Nighthawk offense in the fourth, leading off with a double before Smith drove him in for the second time with a single. Later in the inning, after Smith stole second, Alvin Melendez tallied his own two-bagger.
It would all be to no avail as Valley scored four in the top of the ninth with help from three fielding errors committed by the Nighthawks. A.J. Franklin was tagged with the loss, allowing three earned - all in the ninth - over 3.1 innings. Jordy Allard came on to finish the frame.
Upper Valley returns to action at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday as it welcomes intrastate rival the Keene Swampbats for Educator Appreciation Night sponsored by River Valley Community College. Anyone with a valid ID will receive free admission.
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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 20, 2018
- Bats Come Alive En Route to Fourth Win on the Year - Keene Swamp Bats
- Offensive Explosion Fuels Keene Past Vermont, 16-10 - Vermont Mountaineers
- Nighthawks Stunned as Blue Sox' Erase Three-Run Deficit in the Ninth - Upper Valley Nighthawks
- Newport Gulls to Host Red Sox Night - Newport Gulls
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