OâÃâ¬Ãâ¢GradyâÃâ¬Ãâ¢s Walk-off Defeats Vermont 9-8
August 11, 2013 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Keene Swamp Bats News Release
In a wild Game Three, the Keene Swamp Bats pulled out an incredible comeback for the ages, defeating the Vermont Mountaineers 9-8 in 10 innings to send Keene to the NECBL Championship series.
Brian O'Grady smacked a walk-off single into left field, scoring Zach Lucas to send Alumni Field in a frenzy.
Keene's starter Nathan Kirby couldn't quite match his all-start caliber performances of the past, only lasting four innings, surrendering five runs, four earned, on six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts.
Keene fell behind early, as Vermont jumped out to 4-0 lead, and eventually a 8-3 lead.
With one out in the eighth inning, and trailing five runs, Keene began its rally. Keene scratched across two runs in the bottom of the eighth on Zach Lucas's fielder's choice, cutting the deficit to 8-5.
After a scoreless top of the 9th, Keene tied the game in the bottom half.
Three consecutive singles got things going for Keene in the 9th. After consecutive fielder's choices to cut the score to 8-7, Dylan Moore came through with a huge single to drive in the tying run.
Another scoreless inning of relief from Sam Triece saw the game head to the bottom of 10th.
Lucas singled to start the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. After JP Sportman was intentionally walked, former Mountaineer Brian O'Grady drove him in with a walk off single to left field.
As Lucas slid into home plate, Keene's dugout exploded, as the team knew they had sealed their trip to the championship series.
Keene will travel to Newport to take on the Gulls for Game One on Sunday night. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from August 11, 2013
- Swamp Bats Blanked in Game One - Keene Swamp Bats
- Gulls Look to Repeat vs. West Champ Swamp Bats - NECBL
- OâÃâ¬Ãâ¢GradyâÃâ¬Ãâ¢s Walk-off Defeats Vermont 9-8 - Keene Swamp Bats
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