Sanford Drops Second Straight in 2-1 Loss at Upper Valley

Written by Cole Purvis

Director of Broadcasting and Media

HARTFORD, Vermont - The Sanford Mainers fell 2-1 to the Upper Valley Nighthawks in a low-scoring battle on Friday night.

Sanford starting pitcher Charlie Hale set the tone, as he gave the Mainers four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out five. However, Upper Valley hurler Vincent Luther was just as solid, going five frames, allowing no runs, five hits, and punching out six. Whenever either side would get a runner into scoring position, Hale and Luther would find the ability to bend, but not break.

The Moose sent former Nighthawk Michael Bradshaw to the bump for the fifth inning, and the righty out of Merrimack picked up right where Hale left off with a scoreless frame.

In the bottom half of that inning, Sanford would finally drive across the game's first run. Outfielder Jack Tate ripped a double, and then was driven in by catcher Dom Tozzi to make it 1-0.

Bradshaw threw a scoreless sixth, and quickly retired the first two hitters in the seventh, but Upper Valley wouldn't quit with two outs. With Frank Kelly on first, Alex Kelsey roped a base hit to center that got away from Sanford's Antonio Morales, who went diving to trap the rolling ball. This allowed Kelsey to reach third, and Kelly to score the tying run. That set the table for James Love, who nailed a liner to right that popped off the glove of right fielder Nater Wachter. Love reached second and Kelsey scored to give the home side a 2-1 lead.

Fast-forward to the top of the ninth, when the Mainers needed a run to extend the game. Upper Valley righty Julian Rondon walked Brendan Sencaj to begin the inning, but sent the next three hitters down in order to secure the 2-1 Nighthawks win.

The Mainers drop their second straight contest and split the six-game season series with the Nighthawks. Sanford plays another road contest at the Keene Swamp Bats on Saturday night. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.