Mainers Fall to Swamp Bats for Second Time in a Week

By Cole Purvis

Director of Broadcasting and Media

SANFORD, Maine - The Sanford Mainers and Keene Swamp Bats had another installment of a North division rivalry on Monday night. The Swamp Bats came out on top by a score of 4-2, putting them less than a half-game back of the Mainers for first place.

Keene starter Tyler Borton, who made his first appearance of the summer, was effective early and provided length. The Florida Atlantic transfer threw five innings, allowing just two hits and no runs.

The Swamp Bats jumped on the scoreboard early. In the first inning, first baseman Jackson Marshall hit an RBI-groundout to score Collin Anderson. The very next frame, the Bats struck again, when outfielder Griffin Enis doubled to left-center to score Dylan Fitzsimmons. The lead was extended to 3-0 when Anderson roped a single down the left field line and TJ Schuyler scored.

Sanford got a quality outing out of the bullpen by Southern Maine lefty Gabe Gifford. In his season debut, Gifford threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three. 

The Mainers tried to come back in the late stages, and finally put a dent in the scoreboard in the seventh. Sam Miller hit an RBI groundout to score Dom Tozzi, but the Mainers would strand the bases loaded after that to keep the score at 4-1.

Outfielder Brendan Sencaj gave the Moose some life in the ninth. With Sanford down to its last out, the Bentley product hit a deep RBI double to right, scoring Miller. However, the Mainers would be unable to complete the comeback and lost 4-2.

Sanford is now 2-3 against Keene this season, and won't play the Swamp Bats again until July 25th. Next up is a showdown with Upper Valley. First pitch is Tuesday night at 6:30, and can be streamed on NECBL+.