Sanford and Pittsfield Split Doubleheader
SANFORD, Maine — The Pittsfield American Defenders (12-17) came from behind for a 3-2 win in the afternoon on Monday, and the Sanford Mainers rallied late at night for a 5-1 win in the doubleheader at Goodall Park.Jimmy Waters (Kansas U) tied the first game with a two-run home run to right field and had the game-winning single in extra innings for the win.
Sanford used a four-run 5th inning and a complete game from Colin Snow (Georgia Southern) to split the doubleheader and earn his third win of the season.
The day started off with a 3 o'clock first pitch as Corey Davisson (Univ of Evansville) started for Pittsfield and Chad O'Connor (Univ of Virginia) was on the hill for Sanford.
Sanford scored first against Davisson as Dylan Pratt (Vanderbilt Univ) ripped an RBI single to left field. With a 1-0 lead, Pratt led off the 4th inning with a double and came around to score on a Davisson wild pitch.
In a pitcher's duel, O'Connor kept Pittsfield off the board as he allowed just two hits through the first five innings. The right-hander struggled in the sixth inning, however, as he walked John Parke (Eastern Connecticut State Univ) on four pitches. Jimmy Waters then hit a fly ball to right field, that carried up and over the wall for a game-tying home run.
O'Connor pitched six innings and only allowed two runs on three hits. He picked up six strikeouts and did not factor into the decision. Davisson also left the game after six innings pitched. The right-hander allowed six hits and was able to strand five Mainers in the game.
Both teams would turn to the bullpens for the seventh inning. With Pittsfield as the home team, manager Carroll Land turned to closer Colton Murray (Kansas U) to keep the game tied. Murray retired the first two hitters but allowed a double to Mark Micowski (Univ of Vermont) and a walk to Matt Marra (Le Moyne College). Murray was able to get out of trouble as Mike Roth (Univ of South Carolina) hit a sinking line drive to right field and Casey Lytle (Kansas U) made a sliding catch to end the inning.
The Defenders got a single from Beau Zinman (UNC Asheville) in the bottom of the seventh inning but the runner was caught off first base by pitcher Eric Carmichael (West Chester Univ). Pittsfield was unable to score the rest of the inning as both teams went to extra innings.
Murray retired all three hitters he faced in the 8th inning, including strikeouts of both Alan Matthews (Univ of South Carolina) and Corey Thomson (East Carolina).
Murray, a third baseman and pitcher from Kansas hit in the bottom of the eighth inning and was able to reach on a slow rolling ground ball to second base. Land turned to the hit and run, and John Parke was able to single to left field and Murray moved all the way to third base on the play. Murray's college teammate Jimmy Waters then stepped to the plate and ended the game on a walkoff RBI single to right field to seal the win.
Murray pitched two innings for the win, and scored the game-winning run as he came around to score in the 8th.
Both teams had about an hour and a half off between games as the Mainers and American Defenders prepared for game two.
The stands started to fill up right before gametime as Carter Butland (Bowdoin College) earned the start for Pittsfield and Colin Snow (Georgia Southern) started for Sanford.
Both pitchers kept the opposition scoreless and hitless early on as Sanford and Pittsfield were unable to take the lead in the first three innings.
Snow retired all nine hitters he faced to start the game and struck out five American Defender hitters to start the night.
Butland also had a no-hitter to start but in a different manner. Butland was able to strand Matt Marra at third base to end the first inning and left another two runners on base in the second inning.
Sanford picked up the first hit of the ballgame in the bottom of the fourth with a single from Corey Thompson. Chris Spatkowski (Pace Univ) followed with another single and pitching coach Ron Swen went out for a mound visit with Carter Butland. The Bowdoin College righty responded by striking out Bob Stumpo (West Chester U) swinging and Ethan Wilson (Indiana Univ) looking to end the inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, Pittsfield's Casey Lytle led off the inning with a bunt single, breaking up the perfect game, and becoming the first runner to reach base for the American Defenders. Zach Williams (Judson Univ) popped up a bunt attempt, but the Defenders offense produced later in the inning with a sacrifice fly from Brian Meagher (La Salle Univ) to take the 1-0 lead.
After falling to score earlier in the game, Sanford batted around in the bottom of the fifth inning against three separate Pittsfield pitchers. Butland allowed a one-out walk and hit Michael Roth to put two runners on. The call was disputed by Sanford manager Aaron Izaryk and persuaded the umpires to put Roth on base.
Butland was taken out of the game in favor or reliever Eric Binder (Trinity) who walked Dylan Pratt and then walked Corey Thomson to force in the tying run. Chris Spatkowski followed up by crushing a two-run single to right field and pushing the Mainers ahead 3-1. Kevin Burk (Kansas U) relieved Binder and allowed an RBI single to Bob Stumpo. The Mainers catcher was 0 for his last 14 at bats and the RBI single gave Sanford and Colin Snow a 4-1 lead.
Snow continued in the sixth inning and set down Pittsfield on just seven pitches. The Mainers scored another run in the bottom of the inning, and Colin Snow was able to finish the seventh inning, pick up the win, and split the doubleheader with Pittsfield.
Sanford improves to 16-15 on the season and will host the North Shore Navigators in a make-up game at 6:30 in the evening.
Pittsfield will be on the road again tomorrow as the Defenders will travel to Danbury, Conn., for a doubleheader against the Westerners. Both games will be seven innings with the first game starting at 5 p.m. and the second starting 30 minutes after the completion of Game One.
Fans can always listen to the Pittsfield games by using Teamline, the official broadcasting partner of the Defenders. Fans can also go to the team store at 2 South St. in Pittsfield for more information or to the official team Web site.
The front office can be reached by calling 413-997-2273 for information on the teams, tickets, sponsorship, group outings and more.
