MAINERS BATS QUIETED AGAIN, SANFORD LOSES 3-0

SANFORD – Shawn Gilblair gave up only three hits and pitched 6.1 shutout innings as the Holyoke Giants defeated the Sanford Mainers 3-0 in NECBL play at Goodall Park on Friday night. Kevin Renaud provided the only offense Holyoke (12-6) would need on the evening with a first-inning triple to left-center field. Eric Katzman pitched seven strong innings on the mound in the loss for Sanford (6-12).

The Giants wasted no time getting on the board, striking for a run in the top of the first inning. Mike Provencher led off with a walk and came all the way around to score the first run of the ballgame on a triple to the gap in left-center field by Kevin Renaud.

The score would remain 1-0 all the way to the top of the ninth inning, when Holyoke would pick up two insurance runs to help them put the game away. With one out, Justin Little singled to left field and then stole second base. Little would move to third on a single up the middle by Mike Provencher. Provencher would subsequently steal second base and both runners would score to make it 3-0 on a two-run single to left field by Kody Hightower.

Eric Katzman (Michigan/Harrington Park, N.J.) started and took the loss (0-1) on the mound for the Mainers. Over seven innings, he gave up only one run on six hits, walked five and struck out five.

Shawn Gilblair started on the hill and earned the victory (3-1) for Holyoke. In 6.1 shutout innings, he gave up three hits, walked four and struck out two. Dan Grubbs pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his league-leading sixth save of the season for the Giants.

The Mainers return to action on Saturday, June 30 when they host the Vermont Mountaineers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Goodall Park in Sanford. Matt Janik and Paul Roper will have all the action at http://www.sanfordmainers.com.

A complete box score of tonight’s game will be available via http://www.necbl.com.

Founded in 2002, the Sanford Mainers are a non-profit organization and the premier collegiate baseball team in the state of Maine, playing their home games at historic Goodall Park. A proud member of the NECBL, the Mainers annually aid in progressing the careers of the future stars of professional baseball, in addition to bringing top-notch collegiate baseball to the Sanford area. For more information visit http://www.sanfordmainers.com or call the Mainers front office at (207) 324-0010.