HOLYOKE, Mass. -- The North Adams SteepleCats were swept in a doubleheader on Wednesday night, dropping a 2-1 decision in nine innings in the opener before losing 5-3 in the nightcap at Mackenzie Stadium.

 

Valley clinched a playoff spot with the victory in the second game of the night.

 

In the opening game of the doubleheader, the SteepleCats allowed just one hit to the Blue Sox, but suffered a 2-1 loss in nine innings. The SteepleCats took a combined no-hitter into the eighth inning between the efforts of Blake Whitney (South Carolina Upstate) and Braxton Wilks (Abilene Christian).

 

Valley scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first, an unearned run against the NECBL Northern Division All-Star Game starter. Kyle Mottice (Cincinnati) walked to lead off the frame, and moved to second base on a groundout. Mottice stole third and scored on a passed ball to give Valley a 1-0 lead.

 

The SteepleCats remained off the scoreboard until the top of the fifth inning. Liam Sabino (Pittsburgh) was able to reach base on a fielder's choice, and proceeded to steal second. Sabino scored the game-tying run when Jonathan Engelmann (Michigan) drilled an RBI triple to left center field. Engelmann's game-tying hit was just the fourth triple of the season for North Adams.

 

For the next three innings, the game remained tied at one thanks to the bullpens of the two clubs. Wilks entered in the fifth and worked four scoreless innings, taking the team's no-hitter into the eighth where Mark Grunberg (Towson) broke it up. All-Star Tyler Smith (Canisius) worked three scoreless innings, and was the winning pitcher for the Blue Sox.

 

The bottom of the ninth saw the Blue Sox load the bases on two walks and a fielder's choice. Niko Hulsizer (Morehead State) scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch.

 

An early lead did not hold up for the SteepleCats in game two, as two first inning runs proved to be all for North Adams in a 5-3 defeat.

 

Dillon Paulson (USC) set an NECBL season-high in the top of the first inning, hitting safely for the 15th consecutive contest. Paulson extended his streak with an RBI double that plated Michael Gulino (Pace). Taylor Lane (Arizona State) then gave the SteepleCats a 2-0 lead with an RBI single.

 

Robert Donnelly (SUNY Oswego) was fantastic through three innings, striking out seven of the first nine hitters he faced. Valley got to the starter in the fourth inning, scoring a run on a wild pitch that plated Braxton Morris (Morehead State). Donnelly left two runners aboard to maintain a 2-1 lead through four innings.

 

The game's decisive inning was the bottom of the fifth, where the Blue Sox scored four runs. Mac Wilson (North Florida), Grunberg, Mottice, and Hulsizer scored the runs in the frame, which featured four hits and an error.

 

North Adams attempted to rally in the top of the ninth, scoring a run and putting the tying run on base. JJ Shimko (South Carolina Upstate) clubbed a two-out double, and eventually scored after two singles from Joe Gillette (Menlo College) and Gulino.

 

Following an off day, the SteepleCats return to action in Maine with a meeting against the Sanford Mainers at Goodall Park. Ryan Tapp (UNC Asheville) is the scheduled starter for North Adams.