Drew Smith Throws Gem on the Mound, Gets Plenty of Run Support as Mainers Cruise Past Navigators
After falling to North Shore days ago, Sanford plays well-rounded baseball en route to 7-1 victory.
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0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 1 |
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By Cole Purvis
Director of Broadcasting and Media
SANFORD, Maine - The one thing missing through the first week of play for the Sanford Mainers was a quality outing from a starting pitcher. The Mainers got that today, as UConn's Drew Smith shut down North Shore's bats in a 7-1 win.
The first inning ended scoreless, despite the Moose getting the first two hitters on base. It was a missed opportunity, but one that Sanford made up for in the second. That was when Jacob Harring stepped up to the plate with the bases juiced. The second baseman singled to right, bringing home Sam Miller and Brian Connolly to make it 2-0. The Mainers would still strand two, as North Shore limited the damage and kept it at a two-run lead.
Smith continued to cruise, throwing the next few innings scoreless. It set the scene for more Mainers run support.
The fifth inning was the biggest for the Mainers. Sanford loaded the bases with no outs off of North Shore reliever Cam Keaveney, bringing catcher Brennan Staubley to the plate, who smacked a two-run double to left field. The next hitter, Brian Connolly, drove Steven Kraus in on an RBI groundout to make it 5-0.
Drew Smith's outing on the mound finished after five innings. The Auburn, Maine native allowed just two hits and a walk, striking out four Navigators.
"That's what we needed. Four games, 2-2, but we hadn't had a good start yet, and that's just a great tone setter by Drew Smith. That's the first game Drew's started since he was in high school," said manager Nic Lops.
Sanford added to the tally in the sixth. Sam Miller hit a leadoff triple, and was immediately driven in by leadoff hitter Nick Zampieron, who would eventually score himself courtesy of a Steven Kraus sacrifice fly to right to make it 7-0.
North Shore added its only run of the game in the seventh, when Hudson Ellis reached on a fielder's choice, and Danati Fronduto scored on a throwing error, as Sanford unsuccessfully tried to turn two.
Bentley's Keegan Antelman tossed a scoreless final two innings for Sanford, and the Mainers secured a well-rounded 7-1 win. The Moose are victorious in their first two road games of 2026.
Sanford can keep its road record perfect tomorrow, taking on the Upper Valley Nighthawks at 6:30 p.m.