SANFORD, Maine -- For the second straight game, the North Adams SteepleCats jumped out to the lead in their NECBL playoff game.

 

But on Sunday night, the Sanford Mainers caught the 'Cats and ended North Adams' season.

 

Four Sanford pitchers combined to scatter six hits in a 3-1 win that sent the Mainers to the New England Collegiate Baseball League North Division championship round.

 

Conner Griffin went four innings, allowing just one unearned runs in the top of the first for Sanford, which won the best-of-three playoff series, 2-1.

 

The Mainers came back with three runs, one unearned, against North Adams starter Tristan Helmick in the sixth inning.

 

Helmick struck out three and scattered four hits in six innings of work.

 

J.T. Thompson went 2-for-4 with a double to lead North Adams' offense.

 

Sanford moves on to meet North Division No. 1 seed Keene in a best-of-three series to decide who goes to the league championship series.