NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The North Adams SteepleCats won their second consecutive home game on Wednesday night, capitalizing on mistakes in a 5-2 victory over the Keene Swamp Bats at Joe Wolfe Field.

 

The 'Cats won despite being outhit 9-7.

 

It was the Swamp Bats that plated the first run of the game, scoring once in the top of the second. Tucker Bradley (Georgia) singled to center field to lead off the inning. The outfielder stole second and third base, and scored the game's opening run when the throw to third base sailed into left field.

 

North Adams had an immediate response, scoring four runs on just two hits in the bottom half of the frame. The first three hitters of the inning- Dillon Paulson (USC), Taylor Lane (Arizona State), and Tyler Walters (Slippery Rock) loaded the bases on a walk and two singles. Liam Sabino (Pittsburgh) then hit a ground ball to third base, that saw Lane forced out at the base. Paulson was able to score when no tag was applied on the ensuing throw home, and another error allowed Walters to score as well.

 

Sabino scored the third run of the frame on a passed ball, and Curtis Godin (UCLA) drove in Jonathan Engelmann (Michigan) with a groundout to give the 'Cats a 4-1 lead. Lane and Walyers were the lone SteepleCats with two hits in the victory.

 

The 4-1 lead was maintained until the seventh inning, as a total of six North Adams pitched combined to continually work out of trouble. Keene left eleven runners on base in the loss, including seven in scoring position. Following starter Matt McGarry (Vanderbilt) were winning pitcher Robert Donnelly (SUNY Oswego), Robby Buffis (Ithaca), Eddie Haus (St. Mary's), Ryan Schalch (Pacific), and TJ Pagan (Pittsburgh), who earned his fifth save of the 2017 campaign.

 

Keene got back within two runs in the top of the seventh. Mitchell Webb (Georgia) hit a leadoff double, and eventually scored on a wild pitch. The SteepleCats responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the seventh inning. Sabino and Engelmann started the frame with consecutive singles, which led to a bunt single to the blazing Godin. The throw that attempted to get Godin at first was errant, allowing Sabino to score what would prove to be the final run of the game.

 

Coming off two straight wins, the SteepleCats get Thursday off before returning to the field on Friday night for the first of four home games in as many nights. The 'Cats host the Ocean State Waves, who sit in first place in the NECBL Southern Division. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and Alex Pantuso (Slippery Rock) will take the ball for the SteepleCats.