Sanford Peppers the Ball, Wins 4-2 at North Adams in First Road Game
Mainers not shy swinging the bat, outhit SteepleCats 14-5 in successful first road trip
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 3 |
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0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
NORTH ADAMS, Massachusetts - Sunday night in Western Massachusetts, the Mainers did something they had yet to do through two games: produce early offense.
Sanford jumped on North Adams starter Garret Gates from the jump. In just the third at-bat of the game, shortstop Albert De La Rosa ripped a double to left-center, scoring Brian Connolly to give the Moose a 1-0 lead.
The SteepleCats quickly punched back in their half of the second. Catcher Owen Arias singled to right, and Matthew Colella scored on a throwing error.
Sanford did its most damage in the third inning. De La Rosa doubled again, and third baseman Troy Carpenter drove him in with a single. Shortly after, UConn's Nater Wachter singled to left, driving in Carpenter, making it 3-1. It was a refreshing change for the Mainers, who had found themselves trailing early in the two games prior.
"We figured out guys' percentages, batting averages versus left and right, so we tried to play the matchups tonight with [North Adams] starting a left-hander," said Sanford manager Nic Lops. The Mainers' first four hitters in tonight's lineup were righties, and they took advantage of the southpaw on the mound.
The SteepleCats cut the deficit to one in the sixth, as Colella hit a grounder to first. Pitcher Brennan Rumph went to cover the bag, but couldn't handle the underhand flip from Brooks Perez. The ball rolled away, allowing Sean Stephenson to score for North Adams, and the lead was cut to 3-2.
The Mainers got insurance in the eighth. Sam Miller flew out to center with Brooks Perez on third. Perez initially didn't take off for home, but when the throw from the outfield got behind the catcher, he took off and slid in safely to make it 4-2.
Sanford's bullpen was once again stout. Georgetown's Charlie Hendrix threw scoreless seventh and eighth innings, and Fordham's Andrew Kapica came on for the save in the ninth. His perfect inning secured the 4-2 win.
The Mainers outhit the SteepleCats 14-5. Each side had three errors apiece.
The Moose pass their first road test and return home tomorrow for a showdown with the defending league champion Keene Swamp Bats. First pitch is at 6:30.