KEENE, NH - The SwampBats experienced two very different ballgames on Thursday as they hosted the Sanford Mainers to resume the teams’ suspended contest from Tuesday, and played a seven-inning contest as part of a modified double header. Trailing by four when game one resumed, Keene fell victim to a Sanford surge in the fifth, dropping the game 13-3. They were able to wipe the slate clean in game two, becoming the first team in the NECBL to 20 wins with a 6-4 triumph over the Mainers (14-15).

LHP Jayden Barroquiero (Seton Hall) remained in the game from Tuesday, giving up a total of seven runs in just over three innings. LHP Mikey Fernandez (Miami) found more success in game one, turning in an outing of three hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. The Mainers would plate seven in the fifth inning of the game, which put Keene down by too many to come back.

In game two, the SwampBats were able to hit the reset button and come out of the gates fast. After working three straight walks, the Bats order turned to RF Jack Herring (ECU), who blasted a grand slam over the right field fence for his sixth long ball of the year. The homer put him in a tie for the NECBL lead in home runs.

Keene kept the game scoreless off a deep start from RHP Skip Shenosky (Penn State), who went five and a third innings, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out five. The signature outing from Shenosky gave Keene a cushion, leading to an appearance for RHP Todd Kniebbe (FAU), who collected the last four outs for his third save of the summer. 

Keene improves to a league-best 20-10 and will hit the road on Friday, July 11th for a matchup with the Mystic Schooners, the only team they have yet to play to this point in the summer. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM at Fitch High, and the game will be streamed live on NECBL+.