'Cats Beat Bristol, Force First-Place Tie in Western Division
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Andy Mena's RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning was the difference maker as the SteepleCats defeated the Bristol Collegiate Baseball Club 2-1 Tuesday night at Joe Wolfe Field.
The SteepleCats are now tied with Bristol for first place in the New England Collegiate Baseball League Western Division.
Bristol's only run came in the top of the first inning against SteepleCats starter Ryland Parker. After the first three batters of the game reached base, Ryan Maghini popped out for the first out of the game. The next batter, Mike Olszyk, grounded out to first base but Mike Fransoso was able to score from third base on the play to give Bristol a 1-0 lead. Parker settled down after the first inning and went six innings for the SteepleCats. He allowed just the one run on five hits and two walks while striking out four.
The SteepleCats' first run of the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning against Bristol starter Alex Smith. With two runners on and two out in the inning, right fielder Tom Coulombe singled to center field to score first baseman Cam Kneeland from second base.
The SteepleCats scored their second run in the bottom of the eighth inning against Bristol reliever Ryan Moore. Kneeland walked to lead off the but was still standing at first base after third baseman Matt Petty flied out. The next batter, second baseman Andy Mena, ripped a double to the right-center field gap that scored Kneeland and made the score 2-1.
Sean Albury came out to pitch the ninth inning for the SteepleCats and pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his sixth save of the season. Corey Vogt, who recorded the final out of the eighth inning, picked up the win. Moore took the loss for Bristol.
Kneeland continued his hot start with the SteepleCats as he went 1-for-3 with a walk and scored both SteepleCats runs. Coulombe and center fielder Kyle Saul also added two hits each.
The 'Cats (12-6) are off on Wednesday and will return to action Thursday night when they host the Vermont Mountaineers at Joe Wolfe Field at 6:30.