Vermont Suffers Setback Against North Shore On Thursday Night

Published on June 29, 2023 under New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Vermont Mountaineers News Release


MONTPELIER, Vt. - The Vermont Mountaineers suffered a 5-1 loss to the North Shore Navigators on Thursday night from Montpelier Recreation Field.

The Mountaineers drop to 13-5-1 on the season while the Navigators move to 8-11 on the season.

Andrew D'Alessio (Princeton) had a strong first couple innings for Vermont, striking out three of the first seven batters he faced.

Vermont put a runner in scoring position to start the second as Brandon Butterworth (North Carolina State) hit a double to left field, before moving to third on a bunt. North Shore's Will Jones walked the next batter, but was able to escape the jam with a strikeout.

In the third inning, the Mountaineers again put a runner on second, this time with two outs. NECBL Player of the Week Nathan Waugh (Cornell) blasted a ball off the right field wall for his first hit of the game. George Rosales (Fairleigh Dickinson) was hit by a pitch and then Butterworth reached on an infield single to load the bases. Jones was able to get out of the frame again with another strikeout to keep the game scoreless.

D'Alessio ran into trouble in the fourth inning. He gave up a leadoff walk, before Jackson Hornung reached on an error, putting two runners on base. A groundout got an out but both runners advanced a base. Reliever Christopher AuClair (D'Youville) came in relief, already with a 2-0 count. He battled back with two straight strikes, but ended up walking Henry Kaczmar to load the bases. A wild pitch scored Evan Griffis before a towering home run to left by Brandon Drapeau made it 4-0. After another single, Vermont brought in Brian Foley (UMass Lowell), who was able to limit the damage by getting a flyout and a ground out to end the inning.

Vermont was retired in order in the home half of the fourth as Jones continued his strong start. North Shore threatened with two on in the top of the fifth. Jack Walker (Toledo) induced a fly ball to left field to keep the Mountaineers within four runs.

Williams broke up a streak of four straight batters retired by Jones, leading off the fifth with a blooper over the shortstop's head. Grant Voytovich (Bucknell) singled to left field to put runners on the corners. That chased Jones from the game, bringing Ross Dexter in as relief. Waugh hit a sacrifice fly to right center, easily scoring Williams from third to make it 4-1. Dexter got out of it after he gave up a walk. He got an inning ending double play to keep the visitors ahead by three.

The offenses went silent over the next three innings as Vermont's struggles continued at the plate. The Navigators added another run in the top of the ninth to take a 5-1 lead. North Shore's bullpen shut down Vermont in the ninth to close out the game.

D'Alessio suffered the loss, going 3.1 innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on four walks without letting up a hit. He struck out three batters. Dexter earned the win with two innings of work.

The Mountaineers return to action on Friday night against the Sanford Mainers. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. The game day sponsor is Cody Chevrolet on Little League Night. All little leaguers get free admission if they wear their uniform and can run onto the field for the national anthem with the Mountaineer players. You can follow all the action on the NECBL Broadcast Network here.

For continuing coverage of the Vermont Mountaineers, bookmark thevermontmountaineers.com and follow the Mountaineers on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and on TikTok.

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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 29, 2023


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