The North Adams SteepleCats rallied from a 5-1 deficit, but eventually fell 7-6 to the Keene Swamp Bats at Alumni Field in New Hampshire on Thursday night

 

The loss dropped North Adams to .500 on the season at 4-4.

 

Keene took the initial lead in the bottom of the first inning, thanks to four Swamp Bat hits. Tucker Bradley (Georgia) led off with a double, and was brought home by Dean Lockery (Central Connecticut State). North Adams starter Braxton Wilks (Abilene Christian) worked out of further damage, stranding the bases loaded.

 

One swing of the bat got the SteepleCats on the board in the top of the third, tying the ballgame. After flying out to deep center in the first, Michael Gulino (Pace) hit a rocket over the center field wall for his first home run of the season.

 

The Swamp Bats went back ahead in the bottom half of the inning. For the second time in three innings, Keene loaded the bases with two outs. Ethan Stringer (Louisville) drove in two runners with a single, allowing the hosts to take a 3-1 lead.

 

Two more came across the plate for Keene in the next inning, stretching the lead to 5-1. Nathaniel Eikhoff (Virginia) drove in first run with a double, and Hagen Holmstead (Iowa Western CC) followed with an RBI single.

 

A SteepleCat rally began with two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Gulino started the action with a one-out single, and a single by Ryan Schalch moved him to third. Schalch was thrown out trying to stretch his hit into a double. JJ Shimko (South Carolina Upstate) drew a walk on an extended at-bat, and his steal of second allowed Gulino to score. Shimko then scored after another stolen base and a wild pitch.

 

North Adams took the lead with three more runs in the top of the sixth. Liam Sabino (Pittsburgh) drew a leadoff walk, and went to second on a passed ball. With two outs, Gulino drove in Sabino for his third hit of the day, an infield single. Ryan Schalch (Pacific) followed with his third hit of the day, a two-run home run that was blasted out of Alumni Field and gave the 'Cats a 6-5 lead.

 

Mitchell Webb (Georgia) reached on an error with one out in the bottom of the sixth, and moved to third on a double by Boselli. Webb scored on an Eikhoff single, and Boselli came in on a stolen base by Eikhoff, giving the Swamp Bats a 7-6 lead.

 

Zach Spangler (Kent State) recorded the final 10 outs for the Bats and earned the victory. Garvin Alston, Jr. (Arizona State) did not allow an earned run, but was charged with a loss.

 

The 'Cats return to Joe Wolfe Field on Friday for the final home game of the week. The Mystic Schooners come to North Adams for a 6:30 first pitch with the SteepleCats sending Ryan Tapp (UNC-Asheville) to the mound.