SwampBats shine, reach 30-win mark for first time since 2005

KEENE, NH - On host family appreciation night at Alumni Field, the Keene SwampBats reached 30 wins for the third time in franchise history, and the first time since 2005, with a win over their division rival, the North Adams SteepleCats. The two teams played call and response all game, with Keene's responses in the home half of innings being enough to down North Adams by a score of 8-5. 

After a scoreless first from both sides, North Adams opened the scoring account with four consecutive hits resulting in two runs in the second. CF Corey Robinson singled, followed by LF Alex Mendes. SteepleCats DH Nolan DeAndrade drove both in with a double, but Keene starter Kyle Peters (UConn) was able to work out of the inning. 

The Bats didn't take long to respond, as LF Michael O'Brien (Little Rock) and 3B Nick Romano (FAU) drew walks to get aboard. C TJ Schuyler (Indiana) brought O'Brien home on a groundout, and 1B Chandler Tuupo doubled to score Romano. CF Marshall Lipsey (FAU) would single as well to bring in a run, giving Keene a 4-2 lead.

LHP Jayden Barroqueiro (Seton Hall) was first out of the bullpen for the SwampBats, tallying four innings of work, allowing six hits, three runs (two earned), and fanned four. During Barroqueiro's first three frames, Keene couldn't get much going on the bases, and North Adams pulled ahead with a three-run sixth inning. Like they've done all summer, the SwampBats responded - this time, with some flair.

Marshall Lipsey doubled to bring home 2B Andrew Bell (Duke), which brought RF Ripken Reese to the dish with one away. For the second time in three nights, Reese mashed a ball over the centerfield fence, this time for his league-leading ninth home run. Keene would add an insurance run in the eighth, and brought on RHP Ben Dean (Duke) to slam the door in the top of the ninth. Dean excelled, earning his second save of the summer with three punchouts and only one walk.

The Bats improve to 30-11, and pick up their 20th win at Alumni Field this summer, the most in franchise history. Additionally, if they win out, the SwampBats will set a new league record for the most regular season wins in a year. On Saturday, Keene will make the trip to Martha's Vineyard to face the Sharks (22-17) for the first time since the first week of June. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM, and the game will be streamed on NECBL+.