SteepleCats Drop Game One of Playoffs

Published on August 5, 2016 under New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
North Adams SteepleCats News Release


With one out in the bottom of the tenth and the score tied at four, Hezekiah Randolph reached second base on a two base throwing error. With two outs, Randolph advanced to third on a wild pitch. He then came in to score the winning run on another throwing error on a ball hit by Connor Donovan as the North Adams SteepleCats fell 5-4 to the Valley Blue Sox in game one of the Northern Division Semifinals.

"We did every single part of the game right except for the errors," said Head Coach Mike Armstrong. "That is the story of the game."

The SteepleCats trailed 4-2 going into the top of the seventh. Noah Vaughan led off the inning with a double. Kyle Brennan was hit by the pitch to make two on with nobody out. John Mazza advanced the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt and then Nick Riotto sacrificed home Vaughan to make it 4-3.

Blue Sox reliever Liam Carter retired the first two SteepleCat hitters to begin the eighth. Edward Haus was able to keep the inning alive with a two out single. Carter then walked CJ Price on four pitches. Haus then came in to score the tying run on a single by Vaughan.

"We are a great hitting team," said Haus. "Anyone who comes up on the mound we are going to fight until the very end. We are not going to let them steal games like that."

For the 'Cats, Ryan Tapp struck out three in six innings of work. He gave up four runs off of six hits with only two of the runs being earned. Jack Rupe, Andrew Camiolo, and Brian Stepniak each did their jobs out of the bullpen in not allowing any runs to keep the 'Cats in the game. Josh Simpson came on in the tenth and gave up the unearned winning run.

"We have had really good pitching all year," said Coach Armstrong. "That has been kind of our trademark. Tapp all the way to end was good, even Josh. The game was won on an infield single. It is hard to fault Josh for that."

The SteepleCats will return to Joe Wolfe Field Friday night to take on the Blue Sox for game two of the series. The 'Cats need a win in order to stay alive and force a deciding game three.

"Tomorrow is a new day we got to turn the page and come out swinging," said Vaughan. "That is why we love this three game series. We get to come play again and really bring it to them tomorrow."

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from August 5, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central