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SteepleCats Hold off Danbury Rally

June 13, 2016 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
North Adams SteepleCats News Release


After watching their 6-0 be trimmed to 6-5, the North Adams SteepleCats were able to close out the Danbury Westerners in a 7-5 victory Sunday afternoon at Joe Wolfe Field. With the win, the 'Cats improved to 2-2 on the year.

"It was great to see the guys bounce back and get back on the right foot," said Pitching Coach Jonah Bayliss. "Other than a rough inning here or there, our guys pitched really well, and obviously we hit the ball tremendously."

The SteepleCats struck first in the second inning on a two run home run by Jean-Francois Garon. In the third inning, CJ Price drew a walk with one out. Keaton Wright followed with a double scoring Price. Benjamin Bengston singled in Wright. Noah Vaughan was able to cap the big inning with the team's second two run home run of the game to make it 6-0 in favor of the SteepleCats, knocking Danbury starter Bryce Conley out of the game.

SteepleCat starter Robbie Buffis shined in his 2016 debut. He lasted five innings, gave up three runs off six hits. He faced the minimum through the first three innings.

"I was keeping the ball low and letting them hit it in play and really trust my field behind me," said Buffis.

The Westerners were able to get to Buffis in the fifth and cut the lead to 6-3.

Josh Simpson then came on in relief to start the sixth.  At first, he ran into trouble as the Westerners continued their rally, cutting the lead to 6-5 with nobody out and the tying run in scoring position. Simpson was able to settle down and get Nick Gatewood to ground out for the first out, and then record two huge strike outs to get out of the inning.

"I just started getting my fastball lower in the zone," said Simpson. "On those hits, they were up belt high and they were able to get good swings on them. I also started working backwards in using my slider before my fastball and just mixing it up."

After getting out of the sixth, Simpson continued to pitch well and set the Westerners down in order in both the seventh and the eighth. The 'Cats added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth to take a 7-5 lead. Tanner Bird came on in the top of the ninth and recorded a three up three down to close out the victory.

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