KEENE, NH - In a contest postponed by a day due to rain, the Keene SwampBats picked up their third consecutive win, but not without a fight from the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks. Vineyard got within two runs of the Bats, but RHP Aydan Decker-Petty (Indiana) came in to shut the door and collect the save, recording the last four outs of the game for a final score of 4-2.

Just as it was against North Shore last Thursday, the SwampBats benefited from a strong outing from their starter. This time, RHP David Rodriguez (St. John’s) threw three scoreless innings, allowing three hits, while walking two and striking out three. In the bottom of the third, the Sharks loaded the bases with only one away. A few good plays and solid pitching from Rodriguez allowed Keene to escape unscathed.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, after both teams combined to strand 16 runners on base to that point, the floodgates finally opened up. Keene found its first lead of the night after LF Michael O’Brien (Mississippi State) reached base on a hit-by-pitch. Jack Herring (East Carolina) and Marshall Lipsey (Florida Atlantic) followed suit, and Dylan Cupp drove in the first two runs of the game. Lipsey would score on an error by Vineyard catcher William Lybrook (Harvard), and Cupp crossed the plate on an RBI single from Keene 1B Chandler Tuupo (Charleston Southern).

The Sharks answered and scored in the top of the sixth, following that up with another run in the top of the eighth. At that point, the SwampBats turned to their reliable righty Aydan Decker-Petty, who came in to pitch 1.1 innings, allowing one hit and striking out two while walking one. The tall Indiana pitcher notched his first save of the young season.

Keene improves to 3-1 on the year, and has started a three game winning streak. The Bats will host the two-time defending NECBL champion Newport Gulls (2-1) Tuesday evening on the first Reading With Ribby night of 2025 at Alumni Field.

First pitch between the Gulls and SwampBats is set for 6:35 PM.