NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Michael Babb hit a two-run home run to lead the North Adams SteepleCats to a 4-0 win over Newport in New England Collegiate Baseball League on Saturday at Joe Wolfe Field.

 

With the win and a loss by Laconia, the SteepleCats (21-21) clinched third place in the NECBL Northern Division. North Adams will face second place Sanford, Maine, this week in the first round of the playoffs.

 

Jim Haley went 2-for-3 with an RBI in an eight-hit attack for North Adams, which won its second straight to close the regular season.

 

Matthew Kostalos earned the win with three innings on the mound. Mount Greylock graduate Rob Buffis pitched two innings of one-hit relief as the the SteepleCats used five pitchers on the night.