Swamp Bats Lose in Extras in Home Opener
June 5, 2015 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Keene Swamp Bats News Release
Early in the game Keene and North Adams battled back and fourth scoring multiple runs in front of the 2,000-plus fans that came out the Swamp Bats home opener. It was certainly an odd ending to the game when the SteepleCats scored the game-winning run in the top of the tenth inning on a pass ball by Swamp Bats catcher Chris Hardardt, giving the SteepleCats a 6-5 lead and that was all they needed to hang on to the win against the Swamp Bats.
The SteepleCats struck first in the second inning off of a two run double by designated hitter Joe Burns. They added to their lead in the top of the third scoring two more runs, extending the score to 4-0.
The Swamp Bats battled back in the next two innings. Garrett Christman and Ryan Karl drove in two runs in the bottom of the third inning off of singles and in the bottom of the fourth, Connor Fitzsimons and again, Christman drove in a run respectively and the game was tied 4-4 through four innings.
The Swamp Bats claimed their first lead of the season in the bottom of the 6th inning on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Karl, scoring Keene native Lucas Luopa for the 5-4 lead.
North Adams wouldn't go down without a fight. In the eighth inning, second baseman Hunter Lee hit a solo homerun to deep center field to tie the game 5-5.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Keene was inches away from a magical moment in the home opener. Lucas Luopa singled up the middle with Larry Crisler making his way to home plate from second base, but was thrown out by center fielder Graham McIntire before he could slide his arm under the tag.
After the pass ball that gave the SteepleCats the lead in the top of the tenth, the Swamp Bats were unable to manage a comeback in the bottom of the inning.
The Swamp Bats are right back at it tomorrow night when they will play host to the Laconia Muskrats with the first pitch at 7:30 from Alumni Field.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 5, 2015
- Blue Sox win over Vermont - Vermont Mountaineers
- Waves Rally to Edge Westerners, 5-3 - Ocean State Waves
- Gulls Win on Opening Night, Defeat Schooners 9-0 - Newport Gulls
- Bay Sox Win Second in a Row - New Bedford Bay Sox
- Swamp Bats Lose in Extras in Home Opener - Keene Swamp Bats
- Waves Fall to Bay Sox in Season Opener 8-2 - Ocean State Waves
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