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SteepleCats Split Double Header in Laconia

July 17, 2016 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
North Adams SteepleCats News Release


After a 10-2 loss in game one, the North Adams SteepleCats responded well and defeated the Winnipesaukee Muskrats 5-3 in game two to split Saturday's double header at Robbie Mills Park. The SteepleCats jumped back into a tie for second place in the Northern Division with the split.

"Win or lose, just showing fire was a beautiful thing," said Assistant Coach Ethan Newton. "It was a lot more fun to be at the ballpark when the game is like that."

Game one looked like a pitcher's duel early on between Josh Simpson of the SteepleCats and Mike Gentile of the Muskrats. Gentile ended up going the distance in a dominant performance. Simpson shut out the Muskrats through the first four innings before running into trouble in the fifth inning when the Muskrats scored seven runs to blow the game open.

"Simpson was great especially for his first start of the year," said Coach Newton. "For him to come out and show some consistency in a start as well, it is just refreshing to know that we can use him as we need him moving forward."

The 'Cats took the early lead in game two on a single by Easton Johnson in the top of the second. Brendan Pierce followed with his first hit of the season to score Johnson making it 2-0 SteepleCats. 

With the score 2-1 in the fifth, the 'Cats had Daniel Holst on first and Kyle Brennan on third with one out. Holst stole second and Brennan came home on the throw down. It was the second time in a week that the 'Cats were able to score on a double steal. Holst came in to score on a single by John Mazza giving the SteepleCats a 4-1 lead.

"There is a sharpness in terms of execution when it comes to the first and third," said Coach Newton. "Our guys have been money with that so far. We have smart ball players. They realize the situation and we have been able to execute that twice so far."

'Cats starter Ryan Tapp went five innings, allowed one run off of seven hits and recorded five strikeouts. Ryan Shinn hit a two run home run off of 'Cats reliever Brian Stepniak in the sixth to cut the 'Cats lead to 4-3. Dustin Shirley answered with a solo shot to lead off the seventh setting up the ninth save of the season for Tanner Bird in the bottom of the inning.

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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 17, 2016


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