HOLYOKE, MA—On a night where a season-high crowd of 1,776 fans packed into Mackenzie Stadium, the home squad gave up a lead, fell behind, scratched their way back to force extras, and ultimately fell, 5-4 in 13 innings, to the arch-rival Keene Swamp Bats to fall to 11-12 on the year.
It looked good early for the Blue Sox, who scored in the bottom of the first on a leadoff double by second baseman Jason Lombardozzi that was followed by a single by center fielder Jacob Bruce and then a sacrifice fly by catcher Joel Fisher that plated Lombardozzi.
Two frames later, DH Justin Morhardt singled to lead off, and after advancing on a passed ball, scored when first baseman Sal Annunziata ripped a double to left.
However, the wheels came off in the sixth for the home team, as the Swamp Bats posted three extra-base-hits as part of a four-hit, three-run inning to take a 3-2 lead. They would add a fourth run in the following inning as third baseman Matt Ford singled, stole second, took third on a wild pitch, and then scored on a sac fly.
In the eighth, just when things looked bleak, Annunziata walked, and was promptly brought home by a double by Fisher, who in turn scored thanks to a pair of sacrifice hits by third baseman Brendan Hendriks and shortstop Matt Reida. This tied the game and forced extras.
Both teams had chances to score in extras and both teams were denied thanks to great defense through the first three bonus frames, most notably in the 11th when Hendriks robbed a sure double off of shortstop Dylan Moore that likely would have scored the runner on first that the Swamp Bats had.
However, in the 13th, Keene would lead off with a double; a wild pitch put a runner on third and left fielder Ryan Lukach laid down a perfect bunt to bring him home. Holyoke came close in the bottom half to tying it, with a runner on third and two outs, but left fielder Vahn Bozoian popped out to second to end the game.
Earning the win was John Birkbeck for Keene, throwing 3.1 innings of one hit, one walk relief without allowing a run; Dustin Cook recorded the final two outs for a save. Losing the contest, despite pitching very well, was Holyoke’s Henry Van Zant, who went 3.1 as well and allowed one run on three hits and one walk.
Holyoke returns home Thursday against the Danbury Westerners, with a 6:35 PM start time. Gates open at 5:30 PM.