Power hitting Propels Waves over Swamp Bats, 7-0

June 15, 2015 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Ocean State Waves News Release


WAKEFIELD, R.I.-Fresh off an 11-5 victory over the Sanford Mainers on Saturday, the Ocean State Waves hoped to reach a season-high two game winning streak in a Sunday matinee contest against the Keene Swamp Bats. Propelled by three home runs and shutout pitching, the Waves rolled past the Swamp Bats, 7-0, in front of 575 fans at Old Mountain Field.

The Waves jumped on the board with two loud home runs against Swamp Bats starter Brian Stepniak (Hartford). Despite two quick outs, Tim Lynch (Southern Mississippi) blasted a solo homer over the right field fence to get the Waves on the scoreboard. Following Lynch's third home run in four games, Chuckie Robinson (Southern Mississippi) came up to bat. The first time Robinson got a piece of the ball, he launched it over the right field fence, but it was ruled a foul ball. Unfazed, Robinson crushed his second home run of the summer over the right field fence to give the Waves a 2-0 lead.

Making his second start for the Waves on Sunday was the southpaw Ryan Gray (Trinity TX). Gray hurled five shutout innings, allowing just five hits while striking out four batters. Gray retired the last five batters he faced, continuing a stretch of seven consecutive shutout innings dating back to last start against Danbury on June 5.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Waves continued their offensive onslaught against the Swamp Bats. Lynch led off the inning with walk, then advanced to third on two singles by Robinson and Dylan Burdeaux (Southern Mississippi). Griffin Helms (Kennesaw State) drove home the third run of the game on an RBI single up the middle. With the bases loaded and the Waves up 3-0, Mike Corin (Rhode Island) distanced the Waves from the Swamp Bats with a colossal grand slam over the left field fence to put the Waves ahead, 7-0.

After Corin blasted his first home run of the summer, the Swamp Bats turned to a new pitcher in right-hander Brian Hobbie (Indiana). From the fourth to seventh innings, Hobbie kept the Waves in check, not allowing a hit during his relief outing. Hobbie retired all 11 batters he faced, racking up three strikeouts in the process.

Following a successful start for Gray, the Waves bullpen was dominant against the Swamp Bats lineup. Brad Applin (Rhode Island) retired all six batters he faced, recording two strikeouts. Despite walking two batters, Oliver Powers (Bryant) escaped the jam by getting three key outs. In the top of the ninth, Geoff Murphy (Boston College) worked past two early base runners to retire the next three batters, including a strikeout against Conor Fitzsimons (Central Connecticut State) to secure the 7-0 victory for the Waves.

For the Waves, there were many great performances as the squad won its second consecutive game. The Southern Mississippi trio of Lynch, Robinson, and Burdeaux each contributed three hits for the Waves. Waves pitching also recorded seven strikeouts, giving them 15 combined punch outs during their two-game home stand.

The Waves have two days off before they return to the action on Wednesday, when they travel up north to face the Sanford Mainers. John Amendola (Northeastern; 0-1, 6.00 ERA) will make his second start of the summer for the Waves. Tune in online and on the radio up in Maine as Tim Scott and Cory Nidoh bring you the action on a simulcast between the NECBL Broadcast Network and The Legends 1220 AM. First pitch is set for 6:30 at Goodall Park.



New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 15, 2015


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