Mystic and Newport Roll, Sanford Stays Hot, Keene Extends Unbeaten Streak in Extra Innings
North Adams, MA — Tuesday night across the NECBL featured offensive explosions, dominant pitching performances, and an 11-inning thriller in Keene as the SwampBats preserved their unbeaten streak with a late comeback against Upper Valley. Newport erupted for 16 runs behind a huge night from Ryan Novak, Mystic and Sanford cruised to convincing victories, and Martha’s Vineyard pulled away late to knock off Valley on the road.
Sanford Mainers vs North Shore Navigators
Final Score: Mainers 7, Navigators 1
Lynn, MA- The Mainers dominated offensively in today's game against the Navigators. The Mainers opened up the scoring on a two run single by Jacob Harring (Salve Regina U) in the top of the second inning. They added on 3 in the top of the fifth on a double by Brennan Staubley (So. CT U) and an RBI by Brian Connolly (U of Rhode Island). They tallied on a final two in the top of the sixth on a RBI single by Nick Zampieron (Stony Brook) and a sacrifice fly by Steven Kraus (Binghamton U).
The Navigators deficit was insurmountable and were never able to catch up, scoring only one in the bottom of the seventh when Hudson Ellis (Oral Roberts) hit into a fielder's choice and Danati Fronduto (San Jacinto Col North) scored on a throwing error. Jack Zimmerman (Dayton) was strong out of the bullpen for the Navigators, going 2.2 innings with no earned runs allowing only one hit, as well as Ismael Ontiveros (Portal) who also went two innings with no earned runs.
Drew Smith (UConn) earned his first win for the Mainers today going five innings only allowing two hits with one walk and four strike outs. Jasper Nadel (George Washington) and Keegan Antelman (Bentley U) were both strong out of the bullpen, each throwing two innings a piece. As a staff, the Mainers allowed no earned runs.
The Mainers continue the roadtrip as they head to Hartford, VT tomorrow to take on the Upper Valley Nighthawks. The Navigators will also be on the road tomorrow heading to Keene, NH to take on the Keene SwampBats.
Newport Gulls vs Danbury Westerners
Final Score: Gulls 16, Westerners 4
Danbury, CT - The Newport Gulls traveled to Rogers Park and dominated the field against the Danbury Westerners, winning 16-4. The Gulls started off strong and continued to keep the intensity throughout the game.
Leading the offensive charge was Ryan Novak (Miami U), who had a monster night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two home runs, six RBIs and three runs scored. Ryan Jaros (Rutgers) also starred offensively, finishing 4-for-6 with a double, an RBI, and two scored, while Devan Zirwas (Michigan U) collected four hits and scored twice. Mason Ligenza (Pittsburgh) drove in three runs, Caeden Cloud (U of Kentucky) added two homer and sacrifice fly two RBIs and Cole Johnson (Austin Peay) crossed the plate three times as Newport's lineup produced contributions from top to button.
On the mound, Mason Christopher (Seton Hall U) delivered an outstanding start for the Gulls. The right-hander tossed five shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out six batters without issuing a walk. After Danbury mounted a late rally, Byrce McCain (Austin Peay) worked three innings of relief with three strikeouts, and Jake Kennedy (Oklahoma St.) closed out the victory with a scoreless ninth inning, recording two strikeouts.
Despite the loss, the Westerners had several bright spots offensively. Ronan Donohue (Sacred Heart U) provided the biggest swing of the night, going 2-for-3 with a two-run home and two RBIs. Jack Edmunds (Brown U) contributed an RBI single, while Tyler Castrataro (Hofstra U) added a run-scoring double. Jayden Novak (La Salle) recorded a pair of hits, and Michael Delph (West Point) also chipped in with a hit as Danbury finished with eight hits on the evening.
The Newport Gulls again will travel to continue their winning streak at Alumni Field against the Keene SwampBats Wednesday night. The Danbury Westerners stay at home for Thursday night against the Ocean State Waves.
Martha's Vineyard Sharks vs. Valley Blue Sox
Sharks 8, Blue Sox 2
Holyoke, MA - Martha's Vineyard walked into the Valley Blue Sox' trap and took it over, winning 8-2 inside Mackenzie Field on Tuesday evening. Jackson Taylor (Clemson) notched three RBI for the game, including a two-run home run in the eighth inning to help put the Sharks up for good.
Valley's first serious opportunity to score came in the bottom of the third inning with the bases loaded. However, they only got one run out of it. Chris Carson (Stony Brook) grounded a ball to second base, while narrowly avoiding the double play to give Valley a 1-0 lead. The Sharks came back in the top of the fourth, scoring a run via a sacrifice fly ball from Ty Fredo (Mt. St. Mary's).
Will Shaheen (Duke) came through in the fifth inning with a bloop single to drive in Nick Rubino (Wake Forest) from second. Two hits later, Shaheen was seen dashing home from second as well thanks to another RBI single, this time from Carter Bentley (Northeastern). That officially ended Alex Hill's (Mary Hardin-Baylor) outing on the mound after 4.2 innings pitched.
Taylor provided some insurance for the Martha's Vineyard in the eighth inning in the form of a two-run round-tripper for his first bomb of the NECBL season. Rubino added to it later in the inning with a sac fly. Valley finally put something together in the eighth inning. Carson drove in his second run of the day with a sacrifice fly to make it 6-2. However, one was all they got, stranding two runners on base in the process.
Taylor responded in the top of the ninth with an RBI single. Jackson Roper (Wake Forest) hit a groundball to Blue Sox shortstop Nick Tomasetto (Seton Hall), who threw it away to score another run for the Sharks. Ryan Gold (Kennesaw St.) had no problem getting the final six outs of the game to secure the win.
Martha's Vineyard heads back home to the Shark Tank, as they host the North Adams Steeplecats next on Wednesday.
Upper Valley Nighthawks vs. Keene SwampBats
Nighthawks 3, SwampBats 3 (11 innings)
Keene, NH - After 11 innings of play, the Upper Valley Nighthawks and the Keene SwampBats go home with a 3-3 tie on Tuesday night. A clutch two-out double for Keene in the 11th inning was able to salvage their unbeaten streak against all odds.
The first three innings saw both teams struggle offensively when it came time to drive in runs. Upper Valley stranded four batters in the first four innings, including leaving the bases loaded in the first. Keene wound up doing one better, leaving five guys on bases in the first four stanzas.
The SwampBats finally broke the stalemate in the fourth inning with an RBI sacrifice fly ball from shortstop Collin Anderson (Duke). Upper Valley managed to one-up that in the sixth inning however.
Cameron Boardman (NJIT) got plunked by a pitch, and reigning NECBL player of the week James Love (Eastern Illinois) walked. Charley Magoulick (Rider) came through with a two-run double to left center field to take the 2-1 lead. Jackson Marshall, the reigning Big East Player of the Year at UConn, tied the game back at 2-2 in the seventh with a sacrifice fly.
Despite Marshall having the chance to be the hero in the ninth inning, he lined a ball right to Love at third base, who doubled up the runner at second to send the game into extras.
Brendan Walker (Stetson) was given the ball for the 10th after getting the last two outs of the ninth. Despite loading the bases with one out, he struck out T.J. Schuyler (Indiana) and Nolan Belcher (Kent St.) to keep Upper Valley alive.
Tim Dickinson (St. Joseph's) was the guy to clutch up, smacking a single into center field to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the 11th. In the field, once again, it was Love who made the clutch play, fielding a ground ball at third and nailing the runner going for home.
Unfortunately for Upper Valley, Luke Boykin (Samford) drove a ball deep to right field. Levi Jones (San Diego St.) couldn't come up with the leaping grab, as the tying run scored from first base. Griffin Enis (Virginia) would end the game with a swinging strikeout.
The Nighthawks head back home as the Sanford Mainers head on down Wednesday night. Keene stays in their yard as the North Shore Navigators step up to try and end the SwampBats unbeaten streak.
Mystic Schooners vs North Adams SteepleCats
Final Score: Schooners 12, SteepleCats 2
North Adams, MA - The Mystic Schooners dominated the North Adams SteepleCats on the road to secure a 12-2 victory. The Schooners established an early lead in the first inning when Bryce Detwiler (Connecticut) grounded out to bring home Gabriel Natividad (Winthrop). Mystic broke open the game in the second inning with a two-run double from Scott Penney (Rhode Island), RBI singles by Jack Harley (Stetson) and Natividad, and a Casey Wensley (Bryant) sacrifice fly.
Mystic extended the lead in the fifth inning, adding two runs as Anthony Ruggiero (Northeastern) scored on an error before a Penney RBI single to score Christian Butera (Brown). Wensley continued the offensive effort in the sixth with an RBI triple and later scoring on a wild pitch. The Schooners scored their final runs in the seventh on a Camden Righi (Connecticut) RBI single and another sacrifice fly from Wensley. North Adams avoided the shutout in the bottom of the ninth when Parker Camelo (Rhode Island College) singled to score Owen Arias (Central Connecticut St) and Nolan Currier (Salem St).
Dominic Pontbriant (South Florida) recorded an impressive start for thea Schooners, striking out six across four scoreless innings. Justin Gouin (Hartford) earned the win in relief, while SteepleCats starter Gage Wheaton (Niagara) took the loss.
The SteepleCats hope to bounce back and record their first win against the Martha's Vineyard Sharks tomorrow night on the island. The Schooners are off tomorrow before taking on the Newport Gulls at home on Thursday night.
The New England Collegiate Baseball League is a wooden bat collegiate summer league featuring teams across all six New England states. Since its founding in 1994, the NECBL has produced more than 230 Major League Baseball alumni, including nearly 30 first-round MLB Draft selections. For continuing coverage of the NECBL, visit NECBL.com and follow the league on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
