Sanford Rallies Past Upper Valley in the Ninth
July 8, 2022 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
Sanford Mainers' pitcher Brady Afthim
(Sanford Mainers)
HARTFORD, Vt. - Mainers magic strikes again.
The Mainers bounced back after losing the last two games with a resilient win over Upper Valley, 4-3. David Bermudez's (Manhattan) RBI single in the ninth drove in Aidan Kane (Delaware) and was the eventual game-winning run.
Sanford got back in the win column, as it improved to 11-14 on the year and jumped into sole possession of third place in the North.
Things got off to a hot start as Quinn McDaniel (Maine) hammered a home run over the left-field fence on the game's first at-bat, 1-0. It was the second straight game where McDaniel led off with a homer and his fourth of the year.
On the mound, the Mainers had an unorthodox starter as Brian Craven (Davidson), the closer, was the opener tonight. He worked around early trouble when Upper Valley jumped on an error.
A comebacker by William Sullivan (Troy) was snared by Craven. However, as he looked to turn two, his throw got away from Kane and Ryan Ingoffo (Eastern Illinois) scored to tie the game, 1-1.
Lightning continued to strike twice for McDaniel as he delivered, but kept it in the park. A high bouncing ball leaped over the outstretched arm of Ty Kaufman (UNC-Asheville) and into left field allowing Devan Bade (Binghamton) and Joey Rezek (East Carolina) to come in, 3-1.
Once again, Upper Valley used some costly Sanford errors to get back in the contest. First, Johnny Decker (Marist) crossed home plate on a single from Max Grant. Then, a sacrifice fly by Sullivan pushed in Tyler Sorrentino (Canisius), 3-3.
Brady Afthim (UConn) would get the outs needed to limit the damage to only two runs.
In the past, the Mainers have found a way to come back and tie it but no need for extras and they worked their magic in the top of the ninth frame.
First, a single from Kane got the baserunner, he made it second on a bunt, and then Bermudez smoked one into left field, Kane turned on the jets to beat out the throw, 4-3.
Afthim would shut the door and finish with six strikeouts across three no-hit innings.
Sanford continues its road trip as they face North Adams tomorrow, with Matthew Sapienza (Georgetown) getting the nod.
The Mainers look to avenge their earlier loss to the Steeplecats in the first meeting between the two on June 17, 2-0.
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 Sanford Mainers' pitcher Brady Afthim |
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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 8, 2022
- Mainers Storm Back in Seventh to Top North Adams - Sanford Mainers
- Vermont's Rally Comes up Short to Upper Valley - Vermont Mountaineers
- The NECBL Daily Rundown - 7/7/22 - Ciuffreda Walks It off for Ocean State - NECBL
- Sanford Rallies Past Upper Valley in the Ninth - Sanford Mainers
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