Upper Valley Clinches While North Shore Walks Off Mystic
Danbury, CT – Monday's NECBL action featured the Upper Valley Nighthawks clinching a playoff berth by splitting a doubleheader with the Danbury Westerners, while the North Shore Navigators swept a twin bill from the Mystic Schooners, including a walk-off win in Game Two. Elsewhere, the North Adams SteepleCats picked up a road victory over the Newport Gulls to cap the night's slate.
Danbury Westerners vs Upper Valley Nighthawks (Game One)
Final Score: Danbury 12, Upper Valley 2
Danbury, CT – The Danbury Westerners used strong pitching and offensive power to best the Upper Valley Nighthawks 12-2 in a home run filled game one of a doubleheader.
The Westerners took control early with a five-run second inning, highlighted by a solo home run from Ryan Preisano (Wake Forest) and a two-run homer by Kyle Garbowski (Quinnipiac).
Upper Valley answered in the bottom half with a solo shot from Alejandro Puig (Dartmouth), but Danbury continued to pull away.
Gavin Donohue (Sacred Heart) launched a solo homer in the fifth before the Westerners exploded for five more runs in the seventh frame.
That late rally included a second home run from Preisano, one from Garrett McGovern (Longwood), and another two-run shot by Garbowski who finished with four RBIs on the day.
Trey Sejnoha (Dartmouth) took the loss for Upper Valley, while starter Tyler Fahey (Trinity College) earned the win for Danbury allowing two earned runs over six innings while striking out three.
Upper Valley Nighthawks vs Danbury Westerners (Game Two)
Final Score: Upper Valley Nighthawks 10, Danbury Westerners 2
Danbury, CT – The Upper Valley Nighthawks cruised to a 10-2 win over the Danbury Westerners in game two, splitting the doubleheader following a two-hour weather delay.
Kyle Langley (James Madison) sparked the Nighthawks' attack early with an RBI double in a three-run first inning, and later launched a two-run homer in the sixth.
Upper Valley extended the lead in the third when Jonathan Holt (Saint Joseph's) drew a bases-loaded walk.
The Nighthawks' power went further in the fifth as Nick Quagliato (Boston College) smashed a solo home run to right-center, followed by another Holt RBI single.
Danbury responded in the fifth with a solo home run from Ronan Donohue (Sacred Heart), but Upper Valley put the game out of reach in the seventh with a solo blast from Tim Dickinson (St. Joseph's) and a sacrifice fly from Alex Kelsey (Kentucky).
Eric Santaella (UNC Asheville) picked up the win for Upper Valley, allowing no runs on one hit over four innings.
Cole Gibson (New Haven) took the loss for Danbury, giving up four runs in three innings.
This win secures a playoff spot for the Nighthawks, who travel to the North Shore Navigators tomorrow while Danbury hosts the Newport Gulls.
North Shore Navigators vs. Mystic Schooners (Game One)
Final Score: Navigators 2, Schooners 1
Lynn, MA - Schooners starter Chris Hernandez (Cal. St. Fullerton) threw a wild pitch in the second inning with the bases loaded, scoring Aidan Sengenberger (Seton Hall) from third base to get the scoring started. The equalizer came in the sixth inning, as an error from Navs shortstop Jack Rickheim (Harvard) brought in the tying run for Mystic. Home Run Derby participant Grant Hunter (Binghamton) took the lead right back in the top of the seventh.
Justin Fryer (Northwestern), despite a two-out double from Anthony Ruggiero (URI) shut the door in the seventh inning to earn himself the win, with 2.1 innings pitched, allowing a single unearned run. Zev Salsberg (Bryant) took the loss, allowing the Navs second run of the game in his one inning of work.
North Shore Navigators vs. Mystic Schooners (Game Two)
Final Score: Navigators 5, Schooners 4
Lynn, MA - The North Shore Navigators mounted a late comeback to walk off the Mystic Schooners 5-4 in an eight-inning thriller at Fraser Field.
Mystic started the second game much differently, notching one in the top of the first thanks to an RBI groundout from Bryce Detwiler (UConn).
An RBI single from Daniel Rice III (Sacred Heart), paired with a bases-loaded walk from Ruggiero put the Schooners up 3-0 through two innings.
Mystic scored one more run thanks to an RBI fielder's choice in the top of the seventh inning.
North Shore responded with a four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh.
Hunter Kingsbury (Bryant) sparked the surge with an RBI triple, followed by an RBI single from Jack Rickheim (Harvard).
After a wild pitch brought home Danny Flynn (Northeastern), Grant Hunter (Binghamton) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to tie the score.
In the eighth, Rickheim delivered a walk-off RBI single to score Joey Bazydlo (Eckerd) for the win.
Mystic will head out to the Shark Tank on Tuesday to take on the Martha's Vineyard Sharks. The Navs will stay home for a matchup against the Upper Valley Nighthawks.
North Adams SteepleCats vs Newport Gulls:
Final Score: SteepleCats 4, Gulls 2
Newport, RI - SteepleCats hold on to a close win Monday night down in Newport against the Gulls
John Heitzman (Portal) led North Adams at the plate, going two for three with a walk. Heitzman also had two RBI's, the first coming in the top of the third with a double to right center, and the second coming in the top of the fifth with a single to right. Pablo Aquino (Undecided) was responsible for the other two RBI's for the SteepleCats, with a single to center field in the top of the second. Aquino went one for four at the plate. Nicolas LoBello (Towson) also had a strong day at the plate, going three for four with a double and a stolen base.
Tristan Salinas (Rutgers) started the offense for the Gulls in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to right field. The other Gulls run was scored in the bottom of the seventh when Colby Wallace (East Carolina) walked with the bases loaded to plate Ryan Novak (Miami).
Kellen Moore (Lafayette) earned his second win of the season for the SteepleCats, throwing five innings of scoreless ball allowing only four hits and one walk with six strikeouts. Parker Guthrie (WashU) earned his second save of the season, throwing 1.2 innings, allowing no hits or runs with three walks and two strikeouts. Braden Booth (Mississippi State) earned the loss for the Gulls.
The SteepleCats will look to keep the momentum going as they head to Muzzy Field tomorrow to take on the Bristol Blues. The Gulls will also head on the road tomorrow as they head to Rogers Park to take on the Danbury Westerners.
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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.
