By Matt Scull

The Keene Swamp Bats got the season started off on the right foot by defeating the Valley Blue Sox at Mackenzie Stadium in Holyoke, MA by the final of 6-3. Franklin Pierce’s Zach Hart led the way on the mound with seven strikeouts, giving up only three earned runs in six innings of work. The right-handed Hart got the ball for the Swamp Bats and held the Blue Sox hitless through the first four innings.

“My fastball and slider were working really for me early,” Hart said. “I was just trying keep them off balance and focus on keeping my pitches low.”

Lee University’s Jordan Howard broke open a scoreless game in the top of the fourth inning when he drove a 2-2, high-and-away fastball that got over Valley centerfielder Brodie Leftridge’s head for a three-run single.

Valley was finally able to get their first hit of the game in the fifth inning, but a great defensive play by Hart helped prevent any damage. The Blue Sox were able to get three runs in the sixth inning off of Hart, but that’s all they would get.

Kent State’s Dom Iero knocked in some insurance runs for the Swamp Bats with two-run single in the eighth inning.

Right-handed pitcher Ivon Clough of Southern New Hampshire University came in for relief the ninth inning, tossing a strikeout to Valley's Chris Starcun to end the game.

The Swamp Bats return home on Saturday, June 11th at 6:30 p.m. for their home opener, taking on the North Adams Steeplecats.