'Cats Fast Start Falters Against Keene
KEENE, N.H. — The Keene Swamp Bats scored three or more runs in an inning four times as they beat the North Adams (Mass.) SteepleCats 13-9.The SteepleCats continued their first inning fast starts as, on the second pitch of the game, John Malloy hit his first homerun of the season, a bomb into the pine trees in right-centerfield for a 1-0 'Cats lead. The homerun extended Malloy's hitting streak to 15 games.
The lead would not hold, however, as in the bottom of the inning, Keene scored three unearned runs on a pair of singles from Alex Lee and Danny Petro for a 3-1 Swamp Bats lead.
In a game where no lead would be safe early on, Mike Donato stepped up in the top of the second inning and cut the lead in half on a solo homer to lead off the inning, making it 3-2. Two batters later, with Jonny Smith on first. John Malloy doubled past the dive of leftfielder Evan Chambers. Chambers scrambled to his feet and threw wide of third allowing Smith to score and Malloy to go to third, tying the game at 3-3. On a 2-0 count, to T. J. Greig, Swamp Bats starter Craig Gullickson uncorked a wild pitch, bringing home Malloy for a 4-3 North Adams edge. Quickly, though, Keene came back on a three run homer by Evan Chambers to make it 6-4 Swamp Bats.
As they did for each of the first two innings, the SteepleCats led off the top of the third inning with a homerun as Cody Stanley went yard to cut the lead to 6-5. It was the only run that North Adams would score in the inning before holding Keene scoreless in the bottom half. After a scoreless top of the fourth, Keene pulled away with a four-run fourth inning to make it 10-5 Swamp Bats.
The SteepleCats were able to cut into the lead with a run in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI triple from Ryan Delgado to make it 10-6. The game would remain that way until the seventh, when Keene would plate three more to make it 13-6. North Adams would plate three in the ninth, but would get no closer as Adam Kolarek came in to shut the door.
North Adams remains on the road Wednesday for a crucial showdown against Southern Division rival Newport (R.I.) Gulls. Matt Sommo (2-2, 2.75) will start the game for the SteepleCats with Chase Reid (2-0, 1.93) on the mound for the Gulls. All the action can be heard through the SteepleCats Web site at www.steeplecats.com. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.
New England Collegiate Baseball League
Results for Tuesday, July 15th
For more detailed results and statistics, please visit www.necbl.com. or http://www.necbl.com/nutshell.htm.
Pittsfield 6, Sanford 2
North Shore 7, Newport 1
Vermont 6, Manchester 1
Keene 13, N Adams 9
Danbury 12, Torrington 5 (Conclusion of suspended game)
Danbury 7, Torrington 6
Schedule for Wednesday, July 16th
Manchester @ Holyoke 6:30pm
Lowell @ Pittsfield 7pm
Danbury @ Vermont 6:30pm
Torrington @ Sanford 6:30pm
North Adams @ Newport 6:35pm
