Cats drop second game to Keene

Despite a flurry of offense late in the game, the North Adams SteepleCats dropped their second
straight matchup against the Keene SwampBats, losing by a final score of 7-5.
Even in defeat, the ‘Cats showed out on both sides of the ball. The offense looked as good as it
had looked all season, consistently threatening with runners on base and adding a dimension of
power to their game that really gave Keene a scare. The pitching, too, battled all night long and
made Keene earn everything that they got.
The scoring started on the very first pitch, as Chris Diaz (Marist) drove one out of the ballpark to
center field to give the ‘Cats the early advantage in the top of the 1st. They would also load the
bases in the frame, but could only get the one run to cross the plate in the inning.
Keene would immediately respond, as they would blast a homer of their own to tie up the game
in the bottom half of the first inning. Jackson Smith (Cincinnati) wrapped a ball around the foul
pole in right field, knotting the score at one apiece. Keene would add another in the bottom of
the second inning, as Chris Polemeni (UConn) came home on a wild pitch to give the
SwampBats the lead.
North Adams would strike right back, though, as in the very next inning, they would tie the game
right back up at two. Nelphie Lopez (Portal) would cross home plate on a wild pitch after singling
earlier in the inning and advancing to third on a failed pickoff attempt.
The score would stay that way until the bottom of the 4th inning, when Keene was able to put
three runs on the board to take a commanding 5-2 lead. Polemeni would score on an RBI single
from T.J. Schuyler (Georgia Southern), who would score alongside Griffin Enis (Dartmouth) on a
two RBI double from Nico Senese (Georgia Southern). Keene would add another in the next
frame, making it 6-2 with four to play.
North Adams would grab a run in the top of the sixth inning, when Alex Barrist (Lafayette)
scored on an Evan Meier (Mount St. Mary’s) double, cutting the deficit to three. However, Keene
would get that run back in the bottom of the 8th inning, making it 7-3 headed into the final
inning.
North Adams would rally in the final frame, plating two on a Tony Woodie (SUNY Cobleskill)
home run to deep center field, but were ultimately unable to overcome the deficit. The final
score would be 7-5, in favor of the home Keene SwampBats.
It was overall a great night for North Adams, as even in defeat they consistently showed a
tenacity and edge that made the game close throughout. Even when the game was seemingly
out of reach, they fought back and made Keene earn every part of a hard-fought victory.
Next up for North Adams, a roadtrip to Mackenzie Stadium to take on the Valley Blue Sox is at
hand, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m., before an off day the following day.