Baseball / NIGHTHAWKS DROP HOME CONTEST TO SANFORD

NIGHTHAWKS DROP HOME CONTEST TO SANFORD

Date:  Source: NECBL - Upper Valley Baseball
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. -- Four runs in two innings was not enough to propel Upper Valley to victory, as they fell to the Sanford Mainers by a score of 8-5 in a battle for 2nd place on Monday night.
 
Upper Valley falls to 22-19 with the loss, while Sanford improves to 22-17 overall and takes sole possession of 2nd place in the NECBL Northern Division. 
 
Sanford managed to take an early lead, plating a run in each of the first three frames on RBI singles. 
 
John Rizer tore the game open for Sanford, adding two more runs to their tally with a homer in the sixth that gave the visitors a 5-0 lead. 
 
Ty Adcock (Elon University) finally got the Nighthawks on the board in the bottom of the sixth frame, scoring Chris Berry (University of North Florida) from third base.
 
Ross Cadena (Wichita State University) kept the offensive charge going, driving in Austin Wilhite (Georgia Tech) on an RBI single to right field, making the score 5-3 in favor of Sanford. 
 
A pair of RBI doubles from Berry and Anthony Quirion (Lamar University) sparked new hope for Upper Valley and tied the ballgame.
 
The Mainers fired on all cylinders in the 9th inning, scoring three runs via an RBI fielder’s choice and back-to-back base knocks. Closing the door on Upper Valley in the 9th, Sanford clung to the three-run lead for the remaining half inning. 
 
Upper Valley starter Stephen Hansen (Iona College) threw five innings, surrendering five runs on seven hits and striking out three. David Sampson (Plymouth State University) threw one inning in relief, before being replaced by Jack Ipsen (Bryant University). Next from the bullpen was Jordy Allard (Southern New Hampshire University), who pitched a one-hit inning and struck out two Sanford hitters. AJ Franklin (Vanderbilt University) came in for the 9th inning and gave up three runs on three hits.
 
The team is back in action tomorrow, hosting the Valley Blue Sox for two contests. Game 1 will be a continuation of Friday night’s suspended contest. The teams will pick up with a runner aboard and two outs for Upper Valley (the visiting team) in the top of the 5th. The Nighthawks hold a 2-0 lead over the Blue Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 P.M. Game 2 is expected to follow at approximately 6:30 P.M. Patrick Cavanaugh and Mike Lord will have the call on the NECBL Broadcast Network at 4:20 P.M.