North Adams, MA - The Keene SwampBats (31-12) solidified their standing as the best record in the NECBL this summer and tied the franchise record in single-season wins after a dominant performance on the road against the SteepleCats (19-22). It was the first time the Bats had beaten the SteepleCats at Joe Wolf Field this summer in the 11-4 victory.

Evan Chaffee (St Johns) started on the mound for the SwampBats as he delivered a big role in the win. After letting up an early run in the first inning to fall behind 1-0, Chaffee took over the ballgame and worked well into the 6th inning, not allowing another run. 

After a quiet couple of innings offensively, the Bats broke through with an RBI double from Ripken Reese (Kent St) in the third inning to tie it. Then the fourth inning came around, and so did the SwampBats. After 10 batters came to the plate, the Bats scored 6 runs on 5 hits. It all started with a base hit from TJ Schuler (Indiana) to eventually score Ryan Jaros (Rutgers) after the ball got passed the right fielder. Then the inning was capped off by Nick Romano (Florida Atlantic) putting up a griddy at-bat with the bases loaded. With one pitch getting by the catcher for one of the runs to score, Romano then sends the next two runners home on a full-count base-hit down the line to bust the game open to 7-2.

Kian Vorster (Louisville) came in for relief in the 6th inning, inheriting a runner at second base with two outs. After walking his first batter, he bounced back with a strikeout to end the inning. The SwampBats rode that momentum into the top of the 7th, scoring four more runs to get out to a ten-run lead. Vorster then went on to pitch a scoreless 7th inning while striking out the side in order. 

Connor Peek (Georgetown) made his pitching debut for the Bats in the eighth inning, working himself out of a jam while tallying a strikeout. Despite some runs by the SteepleCats in the 9th, the deficit was too large to overcome, and the SwampBats left Joe Wolf Field happy for the first time this summer.

This win sets the stage for an exciting final game of the regular season at home against the Vermont Mountaineers on Wednesday, July 30th. If the SwampBats come away victorious, they set their all-time wins record, while tying the NECBL record at 32 regular season wins! Gates open at 5 PM!!! MMG (Modnadnock Media Group) Night! First pitch is set for 6:35 and will also be streaming on ESPN+.