HARTFORD, Vt. -- The North Adams SteepleCats saw a game called early for the second time in three days, losing, 11-0, to the Upper Valley Nighthawks at Maxfield Sports Complex in rain that lasted throughout most of the ballgame.

 

The game was called in the bottom of the fifth, with two outs in the frame.

 

Upper Valley scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning, taking a lead they would not relinquish. Three walks loaded the bases for the Nighthawks, and with two outs, James McConnon (St. Joseph's) doubled to left field to drive in the game's first two runs. After another walk re-loaded the bases, Adam Chase (Franklin Pierce) singled in another pair of runs.

 

The Nighthawks scored again in the bottom of the third. Al Molina (Seton Hall) drew a walk with out, stole second base, and moved to third on a flyout by McConnon. Molina scored the fifth Upper Valley run when a wild pitch was delivered to Cade Sorrells (Lipscomb).

 

Two more runs scored in the bottom of the fourth, when Anthony Godino (Wagner) narrowly cleared the left-center field fence for his fifth home run of the season. His homer also scored Matt Sanders (Troy), who had reached on an error.

 

In a driving rainstorm, the Nighthawks scored the final four runs in the bottom of the fifth before the game was called.

 

Offensively, the three SteepleCat hits were recorded by Eddie Haus (St. Mary's), Dillon Paulson (USC), and Jake Ackerman (Mission College). The winning pitcher for the Nighthawks was Ashton Raines, who worked a five-inning complete game. Matt McGarry (Vanderbilt) was charged with his first loss of the season.

 

The SteepleCats, who are now 1-1 on the season against the Nighthawks, complete a two-game roadtrip on Friday night in Newport against the Newport Gulls. The scheduled starter for the SteepleCats is righthander Alex Pantuso (Slippery Rock).