Sanford Falls Behind Early, Loses 4-2 to North Shore
After rallying to win on opening night, the Mainers faced a similar deficit against the Navigators on Saturday. Unlike the opener, the Moose couldn't complete the comeback this time around
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
By Cole Purvis
Director of Broadcasting and Media
SANFORD, Maine - Midway through Saturday's game, Sanford's battle with North Shore felt eerily similar to its season opener just days ago.
Just as it did in that opener, a walkoff win over Upper Valley, the Mainers fell behind early. Navigators left fielder Grant Hunter blasted a two-run homer over the left field fence in the top of the second to get the scoring started. It was the first homer hit at Goodall Park this NECBL season.
In the third, Navigators third baseman Jason Bello lined out to center field, and right fielder Grayson Carpenter scored from third on the sacrifice fly to make it 3-0. The third inning would be the last for Sanford starter Charlie Hale.
Similar to the aforementioned opening night win, the Sanford bullpen held down the fort. The Mainers allowed just one run in the final six innings, as Navs first baseman Danati Fronduto crossed home on a passed ball. Matt Mahoney, Ben Griffith, Drew Sliwkowski, and Drew Smith all contributed to another strong bullpen effort for the Moose.
"It's been really positive. I think I'm up to eleven or twelve pitchers that I've used in two nights, and so far I love them all," said manager Nic Lops.
Once again following the same script as the other night, the Mainers' bats started to come to life in the later stages of the game. In the sixth, center fielder Nick Zampieron singled, bringing home second baseman Jacob Harring to make it 4-1. The very next inning, left fielder Nater Wachter also tagged one to center, scoring Brooks Perez to make it 4-2.
This is where the similarities to game one would end, as Sanford was unable to complete another comeback. The Mainers were silenced by Navs reliever Jack Zimmerman, who came on to pitch the eighth and ninth frames, both scoreless. North Shore held on to win 4-2, marking its first victory of 2026.
"Probably some nerves; new environment, guys getting to know each other a little bit," Lops said postgame, discussing the reason for the slow offensive starts. "It's just a very good league, so the arms you're gonna face, there's no slouches. There's no free at-bats in this league."
Sanford splits its first two games at Goodall Park, and heads on the road for the first time on Sunday to face North Adams. First pitch is at 4:00 p.m.
