'Cats Take Heartbreak Loss Against Navigators
NORTH ADAMS — The North Shore Navigators pushed across a run in the top half of the ninth inning sending the North Adams SteepleCats to a heartbreaking 3-2 loss.The contest started well for North Adams on Saturday night as for the third time in four games, the 'Cats got on the board in the first inning as Nick Shaw led off with an infield single and stole second. Two batters later, Shaw moved to third on a broken-bat single from Kevin Carby. Batting with runners on the corners, Paul Hoilman hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Shaw and making it 1-0 North Adams.
North Shore would take the lead in the second inning on an RBI single off the bat of Tyler Kuehl and an RBI groundout from Mike Provencher.
The 'Cats wasted to time in getting back to tie it as with two outs, John Malloy singled to center and stole second. An infield single from Kevin Carby would move Malloy to third. With a 1-0 count on Paul Hoilman, Navigators' catcher Jay McConnell saw the pitch from Jimmy Lisowski tick off his glove for a passed ball, allowing Malloy to score to tie the game at 2-2.
In the ninth, Nick Belcher led off with an infield single and was replaced by pinch-runner Chad Zurcher. Zurcher was then sacrificed to second by Sean McNaughton. Rob Hill came up as a pinch-hitter and lined a single to center. John Malloy came up throwing for the SteepleCats, but Zurcher just slid in under the tag of Cody Stanley to make it 3-2 Navs. Chris Prescott then came in for the ninth and shut down North Adams for his fifth save.
Jason Markovitz (3-0) picked up the win for North Shore while Derek Shaw took the hard-luck loss for the SteepleCats. Despite not factoring in the decision, both starters pitched very well. Nick Serino, making a spot start for North Adams went seven innings allowing just five hits and two runs, walking one and striking out six. Jimmy Lisowski went six allowing four hits and two runs, one earned for North Shore.
The SteepleCats stay at home for Sunday's game against Keene. It is America Eats/Food Festival night at the ballpark as the 'Cats help to celebrate the Northern Berkshire Food Festival, which runs from noon to 4 on Main Street. The 'Cats will have a merchandise table under the tent on Main Street North Adams with players appearing throughout the day.
Matt Sommo (0-1, 4.50) will get the start for the SteepleCats against Keene with the first pitch slated for 7 p.m.
