KEENE, NH - In their fifth consecutive game at home in 2025, the Keene SwampBats fought through a slow start through the first half of the game, and scored all seven of their runs in the final three innings to take a 7-1 win over the North Adams SteepleCats.

RHP Niklas Pavia (Franklin Pierce) was named the starter, just over a week after a tough outing at Danbury in Keene’s lone loss of 2025. This time, in front of a home crowd of 3,375, Pavia shined bright, dealing five innings of two hit, one run ball, while striking out nine hitters, a season high amongst all Keene pitchers.

It had seemed like Keene was heading towards its second pitcher’s duel in a row, a night after beating the Newport Gulls 1-0, as the SteepleCats put up a single run in the second inning in the form of a solo homer from 3B Gabe Natividad. Pavia bounced back after the solo shot by fanning the next three batters in order. 

Neither team was able to scratch across a run until the bottom of the sixth, where after SwampBats LHP Jayden Barroqueiro retired the North Adams side, the Bats finally found a groove, started off by a four pitch base on balls from 3B Nick Romano (Florida Atlantic). RF Marshall Lipsey (Florida Atlantic) drove him in with a double.

Later in that frame, LF Michael O’Brien came to the plate with the bases loaded. He found his pitch, and ripped a line drive down the first base line, clearing the bags and giving him an RBI triple, and with it, a 4-1 lead for the SwampBats.

O’Brien’s day was far from over, as in the eighth he crushed a solo home run to right-center that helped Keene finish the eighth with a 7-1 lead. Todd Kniebbe (Florida Atlantic) came in and recorded three routine outs in the ninth to push the Bats to a 5-1 record.

Keene will play its first road game since Opening Night tomorrow at Sanford, and then will host the Upper Valley Nighthawks on Friday night. 

First pitch between the Mainers and SwampBats is set for 6:30 PM, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.