Bats Pull Away from SteepleCats for 8-4 Road Win

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - The SwampBats traveled to Massachusetts on Saturday evening for their first matchup against the SteepleCats this season. They rode into North Adams carrying momentum after slugging their way to a 4-1 home win, but the Cats' looked to bounce back after a home loss the night before.

The Bats' struck first early, after Jackson Marshall (Connecticut) drove in Jackson Smith (Cincinnati) on a double to left field. The next batter, Eli Stephens (Georgia Tech), followed up by driving in Marshall on a single to center field.

The Cats' decreased the run difference by one after Parker Camelo drove in Matthew Colella on a single down the right side. The run difference was expanded again in the next half inning after Michael O'Brien (Undecided) reached base safely on an error which saw Micah Kendrick (Louisiana Lafayette) and Stephens cross the plate.

The fourth inning saw the SteepleCats drive in their second run of the game, when Sebastian Rhoades drove in Nelphie Lopez on a single down the middle. This was followed by a sacrifice groundout by Collella that drove in another run.

The Cats' would get their final run of the game in the ninth inning after Camelo was brought in on a wild pitch.

The SwampBats struck again in the sixth inning, with Nico Senese (Georgia Southern) going deep to left center field. They added insurance the following inning after Smith came in on a wild pitch before Senese drove in Kendrick and Stephens on a double to left field.

The SwampBats' pitching started with Brody Krzysiak (Kent State), who threw five innings and struck out five. Brayden Gilson (Florida Atlantic) took over in the sixth inning, throwing for three and striking out four. Tanner Beliveau (Mississippi State) pitched the ninth inning, where he gave up one run and a hit, but earned the save.

The Steeplecats' pitching opened with Nolan Currier, who pitched the opening inning and struck out one. He was replaced by Tyler Tedeschi, who threw four innings and struck out two. He was replaced by Steven Sames in the fifth, who gave up one run before Richie Kerstetter came in for an inning and struck out one. David Johnson took the ball in the eighth, striking out one. Matt Higgins took the ball in the ninth, giving up three hits.

The SwampBats are back on the road Monday to face North Shore Navigators (6-7) before returning to Alumni Field to face the Newport Gulls for the first time this season on Tuesday.