Team out East take the series

The North Adams Steeplecats dropped both legs of an away doubleheader yesterday against
the North Shore Navigators, by scores of 4-3 and 3-1.
Despite the two losses, it was overall an impressive night for the SteepleCats, who fought all
through the doubleheader to keep the games close, even in the first game’s extra innings. The
pitching was especially impressive, allowing only 7 runs over the 15 innings of play. They
continually made the pitches that they needed to make, continuing a really great run for the
entire staff. The bats also showed off, finding clutch hits when needed and putting up great
at-bats throughout the day, even though it wasn’t enough for the victory.
The first game started quiet, as the pitching staffs for both teams were able to keep the bats
silent through the first three innings. North Adams would open the scoring in the top of the 4th,
however, plating a run via a sac fly from Jack Espiritu Niswonger (Dartmouth). They would add
another in the next inning, taking a 2-0 lead on another sac fly, this time from Chris Diaz
(Marist).
North Shore would tie the game up in the bottom half of the inning, plating two runs on a base
hit from Hunter Kingsbury (Bryant). This would snap a scoreless streak for David Johnson
(Portal), who pitched another gem despite leaving a tied ballgame. However, Matt Higgins
(Colby) would escape the jam without allowing another run, leaving the game tied at 2 after 5.
The Navigators would add another run in the bottom of the 6th on a wild pitch, giving them the
opportunity to close the game out in the top of the 7th inning. North Adams would not give in,
however, tying the game late on a wild pitch of their own. However, a win was not in the cards,
as North Shore would walk it off in the bottom half of the 8th inning, earning a 4-3 win.
The second game started out very similarly to the first, as once again, pitching dominated the
early innings of the contest. In fact, the only scoring would take place in the 5th inning, with
North Adams putting up a run in the top half, and the Navigators responding with three runs of
their own in the bottom half of the frame. Pitching would take over again after that inning, as the
second game would end in a score of 3-1, with North Shore starter Ethan Hunt (UMass Boston)
firing a complete game to propel the Navs to victory.
Even in two defeats, there were several standout performers who showed out during the 15
innings played at Fraser Field. Nelphie Lopez (Portal) continued to swing a hot bat, as the 2025
NECBL All-Star tallied three hits across the two games. The pitching continued to impress as
well, keeping the team in both games.
Next up, the SteepleCats take on the Valley Blue Sox at home, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30
p.m., before an off day the following day.