Waves Edge Muskrats, 3-2
June 23, 2015 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Ocean State Waves News Release
Ocean State Waves Warm Up
(Ocean State Waves)
LACONIA, N.H.-Fresh off two consecutive victories over the Mystic Schooners and Danbury Westerners, the Ocean State Waves looked to continue their winning ways in an inter-divisional contest against the Laconia Muskrats on Tuesday. Behind timely hitting and lights-out pitching, the Waves rolled past the Muskrats, 3-2 at Robbie Mills Field.
The Waves shot out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. Facing Muskrats starter Bryan Coughlin (Southern Mississippi), Jake Palomaki got the rally started with a one-out walk. Palomaki stole two bases, coming home on a throwing error by Muskrats catcher Deon Stafford (St. Joseph's). Even though Coughlin retired the next two batters, the Waves took an early 1-0 lead over the Muskrats.
John Amendola (Northeastern) dominated the mound in his third start of the summer for the Waves. The righty went seven innings, allowing just three hits while striking out a season-high seven batters. Amendola, who allowed just one hit headed into the eighth, maintained a stretch of retiring 14 straight batters between the second and eighth innings.
While Amendola was dealing against the Muskrats, the Waves capitalized on a rare mistake by Coughlin in the top of the fourth. Buck McCarthy (Bryant) blasted his first home run of the summer over the Muskrat Monster in left field to propel the Waves ahead to a 2-0 advantage. Following McCarthy's home run, Coughlin shined against the Waves lineup, retiring the next eleven batters he faced.
Once Coughlin cooled down in the top of the eighth, the Waves capitalized by gaining another run off the starter. With two outs, Coughlin's Southern Mississippi teammate, Nick Dawson, launched a double to the gap in right-center. Dawson came around to score on an RBI single by Ryan Blanton (Georgia State), expanding the Waves lead to 3-0.
In the top of the eighth inning, Amendola allowed two base hits to Will Mackenzie (Stetson) and Braxton Martinez (Saint Louis) to lead off the frame. The Waves turned to the bullpen with two on and no outs, bringing on a new pitcher in George Capen (Holy Cross). The Muskrats cut the deficit to one courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Cameron Hanley (Northeastern) and a run-scoring wild pitch by Capen. Faced with a one-run lead, Capen got Vinny DeMaria (Iona) to fly out to left while new pitcher Richard Lovelady (Kennesaw State) retired pinch-hitter Ron Farley (Delaware State) on a groundout to third to end the jam while keeping the Waves ahead, 3-2.
After the Waves were held in check by Muskrats relievers Austin Easter (UNC-Wilmington) and Lewis Spangler (Palm Beach State), closer David Gerber (Creighton) looked to close out the Muskrats in the bottom of the ninth. Gerber worked around an infield single by Carter Grote (Furman) to retire the side in order, including a fly out off the bat of Mackenzie to secure a 3-2 victory for the Waves.
With the victory, the Waves improved to 7-6 on the summer. The Waves picked up their third straight victory, moving up to third place in the NECBL Southern Division. Aside from the stellar performances on the bump from the four Waves hurlers, there were various highlights at the plate for Ocean State. Tim Lynch (Southern Mississippi) continued a ten-game hitting streak, while Dawson reached base safely in his twelfth consecutive game.
Following a day off on Wednesday, the Waves return to New Hampshire on Thursday to battle the Keene Swamp Bats at Alumni Field. Blaise Whitman (Rhode Island; 1-1, 2.70 ERA) makes his third start of the summer for the Waves. Tune in online as Tim Scott, Jihun Han, and Parker Wheeler bring you the action on both the NECBL Broadcast Network and ESPN Radio New Hampshire. First pitch is set for 6:30 in Keene.
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 Ocean State Waves Warm Up |
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 23, 2015
- Waves Edge Muskrats, 3-2 - Ocean State Waves
- Keene Comeback Falls Short in 11-10 Loss - Keene Swamp Bats
- Mountaineers Rained Out - Vermont Mountaineers
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