The final games of the opening round of the NECBL Playoffs took place on Wednesday night with North Shore holding off a late Sanford rally to win their series two games to one. Danbury used a great start from Sean Hagan to defeat the Danbury Westerners 2-0 while the North Adams SteepleCats outhit the Keene Swamp Bats 10-5. North Shore Navigators will take on Newport in the Eastern Division final while North Adams will play the Danbury Westerners.
North Shore Navigators 7 Sanford Mainers 6
The North Shore Navigators survived a ninth inning rally from the Sanford Mainers to advance to the Eastern Division Championship series against Newport. North Shore Navigators starting pitcher Daniel Patrick (Pepperdine) got the victory giving up four runs in 6.1 innings while giving up six hits and walking two batters. The Navigators offense was led by Anthony Melchionda (Boston College) who hit a first inning three run homer to give them an early 3-0 lead. Sanford starting pitcher Michael Augliera (Binghamton) got the loss after going 5.2 innings giving up five runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out three. (FULL BOX SCORE) The Navigators will start their Eastern Division Championship series against Newport on Thursday at 6:35pm.
Danbury Westerners 2 Bristol Collegiate 0
The Danbury Westerners got a complete game three hitter from Sean Hagan (St. John’s) as they eliminated the Bristol Collegiate Baseball Club 2-0. Tucker Nathans (Fairfield) and Brandon Boudreaux (Tulane) each drove in a run to led the Westerners offense. Pat Lowery (Columbia) was the tough luck loser after pitching 7.1 innings giving up two runs (one earned) while giving up four hits, six walks, and nine strikeouts. (FULL BOX SCORE) Danbury will open the Western Division Championship series against the North Adams Steeple Cats at 6:30pm.
North Adams SteepleCats 10 Keene Swamp Bats 5
Guido Knudson (UC-San Diego) went seven innings giving up three runs while allowing eight hits, a walk and striking out four batters to help the SteepleCats defeats the Keene Swamp Bats 10-5. Devin Shines (Oklahoma State) led the offense by going 2-4 with 3 RBI. Brad Monroe (Southern New Hampshire) picked up the loss after going five innings giving up five runs (three earned) on four hits, three walks, and striking out two batters. (FULL BOX SCORE) North Adams will host Game 1 of the NECBL Western Division Championship Series on Thursday at 6:30pm.
