SwampBats make early comeback, keep pressure on to rout Mystic

by Andrew Hillsman

KEENE, N.H. – Late into the season, when momentum matters more than ever, the Keene SwampBats were able to take care of business and keep going in the right direction with a win and a season sweep over the Mystic Schooners (15-20), with a final score of 15-6 on 15 hits for Keene.

LHP James Lordi (UCF) didn't get out to the start he wanted, allowing five runs in the first. But his teammates had his back, and highlighting the first inning for Keene was C Ripken Reese (Kent State) demolishing his sixth home run of the season to bring in two runs, sending a 2-0 pitch 404 feet to deep center field and into the parking lot, as the Bats trailed 5-3 after one.

The game was put into a 43 minute rain delay with one out in the top of the second, and after the weather cleared up, Keene battled back to tie the contest at five, as 2B Ty Mainolfi delivered yet again, driving in two runs on a single to right field. RHP Max Weber (Felician) came in for the third and fourth innings, turning in an excellent performance, allowing zero hits and fanning four Mystic hitters, while facing one more than the minimum.

The bottom of the fourth was even more fruitful for Keene, as Reese scored SS Connor Peek (Georgetown) on a sacrifice fly, and 3B Nick Romano (FAU) brought in two of his teammates with a single to stretch Keene's lead to three. Mystic 2B AJ Aschettino (Northeastern) hit a solo shot off the Bats in the top of the fifth, but that would be the final time the Schooners would cross the plate. Keene responded with four in the bottom half, with a sac fly from 1B Chandler Tuupo (Charleston Southern), and RF Jack Herring's (ECU) league-leading eighth home run of the summer. 

Keene finished its offensive onslaught in the bottom of the sixth and eighth with another sac fly from Tuupo, an RBI single from Herring, and CF Marshall Lipsey (FAU) taking advantage of one of many Mystic miscues on a wild pitch to cross the plate. 

The SwampBats take the win in a complete team effort, and remain best in the league with a 24-11 record, with a six-and-a-half lead on the North division. Keene will remain at home tomorrow, when they host the Danbury Westerners, a team the Bats have not faced since opening night in June. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 at Alumni Field, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.