Kendrick, Krzysiak Help Power Bats to 3-0

SANFORD, Maine - The Keene SwampBats stayed unbeaten to start the 2026 season against the Sanford Mainers, posting a 6-5 win at Goodall Park Monday evening. 

Micha Kendrick (Kansas State) hit the very first home run of the season for the SwampBats, sending the ball 374ft. and giving the team the go-ahead run in the 4th inning. 

The team got the first run on the board early with Kenrick showcasing his speed, stealing second and scoring on an RBI by Nico Senese (Georgia Southern). The Mainers had a quick response and took the lead in the bottom of the first, making solid contact on starting pitcher Noah Berry (Samford).  

Keene tied it at the top of the second with smart base running and strong contact from Colin Anderson (Duke) with a hit to the left center gap and an RBI single from Jackson Smith (Cincinnati). A sacrifice fly by Kendrick scored the tying run in the top of the second. 

Noah Berry stood strong on the mound and with help from the middle infield defense kept the Mainers scoreless. 

It was Kenrick with his electric bat again that would give the SwampBats a go ahead and another insurance run in the top of the fourth.  

"I was just trying to do damage, I got a good fastball to hit and smoked it," Kendrick said. "Home run pitch and made something happen."

With a two-run lead, the SwmpBats held the Mainers for the next two innings, Berry being replaced by Parker Lind (Kent State).

Lind took a batter to get settled into the game, giving up a single. He then followed it up with two stakeouts and a routine grounder to second to keep the game tied after the fifth.

In the top of the sixth Keene scored a critical additional run, Anderson using his speed. After a single base hit, Anderson stole second and proceeded to steal third on a fly ball. Kendrick continued to show up and show out for Keene, sending Anderson home on an RBI single. 

Lind staying hot, struck out the first batter he faced in the bottom of the sixth but walked the next batter who ended up scoring on a wild pitch.

Robert Gilchrist (UCONN) came into pitch and used his infield to get out of the inning only giving up one more run making the score 6-5 Keene leading. 

Keene's bats were strong but unable to find the gaps and went into the bottom of the ninth with a one run lead. 

Brody Krzysiak (Kent State) pitched the last inning for Keene. A line drive out to second, a caught stealing attempt and a strikeout ended the game and continued Keene's undefeated season opening. 

Keene will be back at home tomorrow for their fourth game of the season against the Upper Valley Nighthawks at 6:35 p.m. in the first of two Reading with Ribby nights.  The game will be streamed on Amazon Prime/Unbeaten.