Second Straight Walk-Off Secures Mainers Win over North Adams
Published on June 11, 2021 under New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
SANFORD, Maine - The Sanford Mainers earned their second consecutive walk-off win on Friday night against the North Adams SteepleCats for a final score of 4-3.
With the bases loaded, a full count, two outs and a tie game in the bottom of the tenth inning, Dom Freeberger (UNC-Asheville) sent a soaring line drive off the right field wall to bring home Evan Sleight (Rutgers) for the game-winning run.
Garret Keough (Georgetown) earned the start for Sanford and had a short outing at only three innings, but was effective in avoiding big innings. Keough only gave up two hits, two earned runs, walked four and struck out five to settle for a no-decision.
After North Adams scored two runs in the third to take the opening lead, Sanford was able to respond to tie the game back up with a RBI single from Dayne Leonard (Virginia Tech) and Cal Hewett (Vanderbilt) scoring on a wild pitch.
From the third inning on, both teams' bullpens grinded the offensive action to a halt. For the Mainers, Matt Aronson (UMass) and Gavin Hinchliffe (Kansas State) both shutout the SteepleCats for a combined four innings with six strikeouts and only conceding two hits. From there, Trevor LaBonte (Maryland) took over and earned the win by going the remaining three innings with three strikeouts, and only allowing the extra-inning rule runner to score. The pitching staff for Sanford on the night combined for 14 strikeouts and only gave up five hits.
After North Adams broke the tie in the top of the tenth inning, Sanford manufactured the tying run across the plate. Derek Smith (Bryant) sacrificed to move the tying run to third, and a Cam Ridley (Eastern Kentucky) double to bring him in. After the SteepleCats intentionally walked Hewett to load the bases, Freeberger ended the game with his walk-off single.
The Mainers were sparked by Mitch Moralez (Utah Valley), who had two hits on his summer debut. Additionally, Hewett had a hit and scored to help the cause.
North Adams' bullpen kept the team in the game, as strong performances from Sam Bennett and Emmanuel Corporan combined for ten strikeouts in relief.
The Mainers hit the road on Sunday for their first trip to Laconia to take on the Winnipesaukee Muskrats.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 11, 2021
- Second Straight Walk-Off Secures Mainers Win over North Adams - Sanford Mainers
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