Mainers Complete Furious Ninth Inning Comeback, Walk Off Nighthawks in Extras

Written by Cole Purvis 
Director of Broadcasting and Media

SANFORD, Maine – Through seven innings, the Sanford Mainers' offense was virtually nonexistent. 

Mainers starter Josh Kopetski was chased after three innings, allowing four earned runs. Sanford's best chance at a run came in the bottom of the first when it loaded the bases, only for Upper Valley starter Mateo Wells to get out of the jam.

Sanford's bullpen kept it afloat. After Kopetski exited, Sam Young and Jasper Nadel kept the Upper Valley offense scoreless over the next five innings.

Trailing Upper Valley 4-0 in the bottom of the eighth, Sanford finally generated a run on a passed ball, scoring Brennan Staubley. The Nighthawks limited the damage for the time being, maintaining a three-run advantage heading into the ninth. In the top of the final frame, Sanford lefthander TJ Curley threw a scoreless inning to keep the Mainers within reach.

Down to the last strike with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Sanford outfielder Nick Zampieron singled to center, driving in a run. First baseman Brennan Staubley followed that up with a single to left which scored two, knotting the game at four apiece, and sending it to extras.

In the top of the tenth, Mainers left fielder Nater Wachter cut down a runner at the plate to keep the game tied (NECBL rules state a runner must be placed at second base to start extra innings).

It only took one batter for Sanford to collect the walkoff hit in its half of the tenth. Designated hitter Troy Carpenter roped a base-hit to left, scoring Albert De La Rosa from second, completing a remarkable opening day comeback.

Sanford is back at home Saturday against North Shore. First pitch is at 6:30.