Early Dominant Pitching Sets the Tone in SwampBats Win

by Ryan Fitzpatrick

Mystic, CT – The SwampBats (21-10) rallied against the Mystic Schooners (13-17) to tally back-to-back wins for the first time since June 28th in a 9-5 victory.

Kyle Peters (Uconn) had the start on the mound for the SwampBats as he looked to bounce back strong after his last outing. Peters made quick work of the order. Retiring the first 10 batters he faced, Peters went through the first 5 innings, only allowing 2 runs on his way to victory.

Despite a slow start offensively, Keene's offense showed a patient approach at the plate, leading to back-to-back walks to start the fourth inning. After those two runners advanced on a wild pitch, Michael O'Brien (Arkansas Little Rock) topped a ground ball to score the first run of the ball game. Following that, Ty Mainolfi (Boston) scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0 without recording a single hit.

The Bats didn't just stop there. After forcing the Schooners' starter, Connor Gatwood, to exit the game, Keene took advantage of the bullpen. Capitalizing on mistakes like walking in a run and scoring on another wild pitch, the SwampBats knock the doors down with Mainolfy hitting a 2-RBI double to make it 6-0. Nicholas Romano (Florida Atlantic) followed with a single to bring in Mainolfi for a seven-run advantage in the fifth inning.

Despite some retaliation in the fifth and sixth innings, the offense also put the dagger in, as Ryan Jaros (Rutgers) added a run in the seventh inning, followed by O'Brien scoring on a sacrifice fly. SwampBats' bullpen was lights out as Jake Hooker recorded a 9-out save to finish. The SwampBats' bullpen was lights out as Jake Hooker recorded a 9-out save to finish.

The SwampBats are back on the road on Saturday night as they head to Upper Valley. First pitch against the Nighthawks is scheduled for 6:00, streamed on NECBL+.