Bats Find Long Ball to Bash Blues, 15-2
Marshall, Stephens, and Senese All Connect for Homers as Keene Moves to 3-0-1 at Home
KEENE, NH - In the first of two matchups this season, the Keene SwampBats came into Tuesday's game looking to bounce back from a 1-2 road loss while the Bristol Blues rode into town carrying momentum from a 10-3 win on the road. The SwampBats prevailed with a massive 15-2 win, giving them a 6-3-1 record on the season.
In front of 1,387 fans, the SwampBats began the scoring with a massive six run second inning. It began with Avery Smith (Penn State) driving in Luke Boykin (Samford) on a groundout to third base. Jackson Smith (Cincinnati) followed by driving in Griffin Enis (Virginia) on a single down the middle. Eli Stephens (Georgia Tech) followed up with a single of his own, which brought Smith across home plate.
The biggest moment of the inning came from the Big East Player of The Year, Jackson Marshall (Connecticut), who smashed a three run homer over the left side fence to drive in both Stephens and Nico Senese (Georgia Southern).
The Blues managed to get on the scoreboard in the third inning when Justin Ruiz launched a solo home run over the centerfield trees.
The Bats added to their lead in the third inning, capitalizing on a throwing error by the Blues. This allowed Enis to safely score, giving the Bats an extra run.
Two innings later, Stephens delivered another big blow for the Bats, launching a three run home run over the fence in right field. This brought home Avery Smith and Jackson Smith, extending the Bats' lead.
The Blues scored their second and final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when Scott Gell hit a ground ball that resulted in a double play but drove Trent Rice across home plate.
In the seventh inning, for the SwampBats, Michael O'Brian (undecided) brought in Senese after drawing a bases loaded walk. Boykin then drove in Stephens after a sacrifice fly.
The scoring ended with the SwampBats third homer of the game, this one coming from Senese which drove in Charlie Meglio (Rutgers) and the home team's fifteenth run of the game.
Aidan O'Connell (Duke) started the game for the SwampBats, pitching 3.1 innings and striking out three. Rocco Calise (Eckerd) earned the win, pitching 3.2 innings and striking out five. Andrew Lepine (Central Florida) pitched an inning, striking out two before Nate Bassett (Virginia) came in for the ninth and earned his second save of the season.
The SwampBats return to Alumni Field tomorrow evening for their third game against the Stanford Mainers as they look to take a 2-1 series lead. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.