SteepleCats Splits Series With Vermont
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Trailing by two runs, 6-4, with two outs and nobody on in the opener, the SteepleCats (6-5) drew even at 6-all after Sheehan Planas-Arteaga (Barry) started the rally with a two-out double. Moments later, Charlie Law (Rutgers) drilled an RBI double to straightaway center before Brett Clements (Nova Southeastern) tied the game with an RBI bloop single to shallow center.
But in the bottom of the seventh, the Mountaineers (6-4) moved into scoring position after a leadoff hit-by-pitch and a walk. With two outs, Michael White roped the go-ahead RBI single to right. The throw came into the catcher and appeared to beat the runner, but Sean Trent barely beat the throw to take the win for Vermont.
Tom Bammann (Dowling College) wound up with the loss, allowing a run in 2 2/3 innings while walking one and hitting three. He relieved starter Christian MacDonald (UNC Wilmington), who allowed six runs – three earned – over four innings while striking out one.
The SteepleCats put up four runs in the top of the fifth against Vermont starter Casey Delgado, who lasted five innings and yielded four runs – all unearned – while striking out three and walking three. Matt Dearden offered a scoreless inning of relief before closer Kyle Grana allowed the two tying runs in the seventh while striking out one and yielding three hits.
Game Two
Both teams exchanged a run apiece in the first before untying the game in the sixth, but the SteepleCats exploded for five runs in the top of the seventh after falling behind by two runs and eventually prevail, 7-4.
After both defenses shined through four scoreless innings, the SteepleCats took a temporary lead on an RBI fielder’s choice to ahead, 2-1, but the Mountaineers used three-straight extra-base hits – including two triples to lead it off – to put the visitors on the brink of a sweep with a three-spot in the home half of the inning to move in front, 4-2.
But in the top of the seventh, Esteban Tresgallo (Miami) was plunked by reliever Tyler Rogers before the hurler issued consecutive walks to load the bases. Moments later, Will Klausing (UT-Pan American) tied the game with an RBI single through the left side.
After the go-ahead run scored on a passed ball, Jeff Roy (URI) lofted an RBI sacrifice fly to score Klausing, stretching the lead to 6-4. Finally, Law roped an RBI double to left center to round out the scoring.
Brian Hunter (Hartford) struck out one in the bottom of the seventh to pick up his first save of the season, while Matt Longfield (Villanova) picked up the win. North Adams starter Tyler Badamo (Dowling) worked in and out of trouble through the evening and earned a no decision after yielding three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and four walks.
After an off day Wednesday, the SteepleCats hit the road for a Thursday (June 21) bout at Danbury slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.
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