Upper Valley Tops Sanford with Late-Inning Surge
August 5, 2016 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, V.T. - In a game best exemplified by a seesaw, the Upper Valley Night Hawks fought to live another night, evening the three-game series in their 9-8 win over *Sanford*.
Sanford led 8-6 entering the 7th inning, when *Cole Townsend (North Carolina Asheville) *allowed a run on two hits, closing the lead to just single run. Upper Valley's run scored on a wild pitch, one of many miscues on the night for both teams.
In the bottom of the 8th, *Joe Orlando (Binghamton) *retired the first two men he faced only to allow an infield single, one which nearly never happened because of a spectacular play by Mainers shortstop *Todd Czinege (Villanova)*. The next batter Walker Grisanti (Vanderbilt) took a first pitch offering over the right field fence to put the Nighthawks on-top 9-8.
While the Mainer did lead late, they overcame a number of deficits in the contest. Sanford throughout the game trailed 2-1 and 6-4 at Maxfield Sports Complex, but a great many mistakes warped the game's complexion. Sanford made an error and had a communication issue which let a fly ball drop in for an extra-base hit in the Nighthawks four-run 4th. The Mainers also made another fielding error, and had a couple chances to turn double plays but could not execute one during the game.
The Nighthawks on the other hand made a great many mistakes as well. The hometown club made seven errors, but tightened up their defense by end of the game to draw close, and then take a lead. They also out hit the Mainers 16 to 10.
Sanford starter *Will Tribucher (Michigan) *went just two-and-a-third innings for the Moose, as he allowed seven hits, six runs, four earned, two walks and picked up two strike outs.
Upper Valley got more out of their starter, although not much as Cordes Baker (South Carolina Lancaster) was chased after three-and-two-thirds of five hit, six run baseball. Only one his runs was earned.
Upper Valley Manager Nick Cenatiempo turned to his catcher Brian Lau (St. Joseph's) to throw the last inning-and-two-thirds, in which he struck out two, and was one of the only options left given the Nighthawks insane schedule leading up to the postseason.
The Mainers play again tomorrow night, when they face the Upper Valley Nighthawks for the third time in as many nights in an elimination game. First pitch is at 6:30 PM, with pregame coverage starting at 6:20 on the NECBL Broadcast Network, all from Goodall Park.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from August 5, 2016
- Upper Valley Tops Sanford with Late-Inning Surge - Sanford Mainers
- The New Bedford Bay Sox' Season Comes to an End - New Bedford Bay Sox
- SteepleCats Drop Game One of Playoffs - North Adams SteepleCats
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