Game 1:

North Adams, MA- For the 2nd time this season, the Vermont Mountaineers squared off with the North Dams SteepleCats, and for the 2nd time this season they came out victorious.  Behind the strengths of flawless defense and consistent hitting, the Mountaineers grabbed their 4th win in a row and improved to 6-4 on the season, with the SteepleCats dropping to 3-5-2.

Peyton Wilson got the ball for North Adams and was strong through 5 innings only giving up 2 earned runs on the night. His counterpart Josh Oneill of Vermont grabbed the win, going 5 innings giving up 4 hits.  

It was a tight battle through 6 innings, as Vermont brought a 1 run read into the 7th.  But a two innings 5 run surge put the SteepleCats away, leading to an 8-2 win.

Key Moments

• The scoring started in the 3rd, following a SteepleCats error, a wild pitch and double play put Vermont up 2-0.

• Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the 5th, Matt Shilling got the Cats on the board with his first home run of the season.  His RBI walk in the 6th brought the Cats within 1.

• A Tommy Courtney 2 run single opened it back up in the 7th. A Matt Oldham 2-run home run put the game away in the 8th. 

 How it happened 

• The Cats stranded runners in each of the first 3 innings.  They left 9 on base throughout the night.

• Their best opportunity came in the 6th.  Down 3-2 the Cats had the bases loaded with 2 outs, Brendan O’Donnell came out of the bullpen and retired Wilde to end the threat.

• Shilling recorded his 4th outfield assist of the season, nailing Courtney at 3rd base following his single in the 7th. 

Next time out: The Cats are back in action tonight against the North Shore Navigators.  Samuel Bennett gets the start for North Adams.  First pitch from Fraser Field is set for 6:35 PM.