Cats topped by Keene in promising game

Despite showing good fight throughout the game, the North Adams SteepleCats lost to the
Keene SwampBats yesterday, with a final score of 8-4.
Even in defeat, North Adams still has a number of bright spots to take away from last night’s
performance. The bats kept the spark alive throughout the game, working hard and ensuring
that no out was an easy one for the Keene pitching staff. They recorded 10 hits, and were
frequently wreaking havoc on the basepaths. The pitching staff, too, kept North Adams squarely
in the contest right until the final out, continuously pounding the strike zone and forcing the
Keene hitters to be at their very best.
Keene started the scoring in the top of the 1st inning, plating two runs to get the contest going.
The first run scored when Jackson Marshall (UConn) doubled to left field, scoring Jackson Smith
(Cincinnati). Moments later, the second run would come around on an RBI single from Eli
Stephens (Georgia Tech). After a couple of scoreless half innings, North Adams would respond
in the bottom half of the second inning. Parker Camelo (RIC) singled through the right side,
scoring Matthew Colella (Lafayette). Despite threatening for more, that would be the only run to
score in the half inning.
Keene would add to their lead in the top of the fourth inning, doubling their score on an error at
second base. Micah Kendrick (Kansas State) and Stephens would both touch home plate on the
play, making it a 4-1 baseball game. However, North Adams would cut the deficit right back to
one in the bottom half of the frame, as two runs would come around on an error and a base hit,
respectively. Sebastian Rhoades would record his first SteepleCat RBI in the inning, as North
Adams continued to show an impressive level of resiliency against the defending champs.
In the 6th inning, Keene would once again add to their lead, as Nico Senese (Georgia Southern)
went yard to left center field, making it a 5-3 ballgame. They would add three more in the 7th,
with Smith scoring on a wild pitch and a two RBI double from Senese scoring Kendrick and
Stephens making it 8-3. North Adams would score one in the bottom of the 9th, with Camelo
coming home on a wild pitch, but that wouldn’t be enough to tie it, as the game ended 8-4.
The good signs continued to show for North Adams, even in a loss, as both sides of the ball
continued to look good. The pitching was resilient, as they battled even through pressure
against a talented Keene offense. The bats continued to fight all game long as well, putting
together quality at-bats and hitting the ball hard throughout the night. It just wasn’t to be,
however, as the defending champs were able to secure the victory on the night.
Next up, the ‘Cats welcome Upper Valley to Joe Wolfe Field, with first pitch scheduled for 4:00
p.m., before traveling to face the Newport Gulls, with first pitch in Newport set for 6:35.