JEFF HELPS MAINERS TO VICTORY; THREE HITS POWER SANFORD PAST VERMONT

SANFORD – Jeff Helps went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, a triple and two runs scored to lead the Sanford Mainers to a 7-3 victory over the Vermont Mountaineers in NECBL play at Goodall Park on Saturday night. Helps’ second inning triple gave the Mainers a 2-1 lead which they would never relinquish. Luke Demko pitched seven solid innings and struck out six on the mound for Sanford (7-12). Mike Sheridan led the Vermont (9-10) offense, going 2-for-2 with an RBI double, a triple and two runs scored.

The Mainers started the scoring with an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning. Brian Kemp (St. John’s/East Rockaway, N.Y.) led off the inning and reached on a throwing error by Vermont shortstop Lanny Stanfield. Kemp moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Max Most (Marist/Port Washington, N.Y.) and then tagged up and moved to third base on a fly ball to center field by Jeff Grantham (St. John’s/Randolph, N.J.).

The Mountaineers would answer right back and tie the game 1-1 in the top of the second inning. Michael Brady reached first on a one-out walk. He would come all the way in to score on Mike Sheridan’s double to the gap in right-center field.

Sanford would take the lead for good with two runs in the bottom half of the second inning. Scott Guillerault (Wheaton/South Portland, Maine) led off with a walk and stole second. After moving to third on a groundout to second base by Cody Allen (Central Michigan/Coleman, Mich.), Guillerault would score on a triple over the head of right fielder Billy Cather by Jeff Helps (Central Michigan/Wyoming, Ontario). Helps would score to make it 3-1 on an RBI single to centerfield by Kemp. The hit extended Kemp’s hitting streak to 13 games.

The Mainers would strike for three more runs in the bottom of the third inning to open up a 6-1 lead. With one out, Tyler Stovall (Central Michigan/Cincinnati, Ohio) reached on an infield single behind the bag at third. Stovall would score from first on a double to the gap in left-center by Guillerault. Two batters later, a single through the right side by Allen would bring Guillerault home to make it 5-1. Allen advanced to second when a throw home by Cather to try to throw out Guillerault sailed to the backstop. Allen would then come in to score on a single through the left side of the infield by Helps.

Vermont would inch closer with a run in the top of the fifth inning. Sheridan led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Nick Panzarella. Sheridan would score to cut the deficit to 6-2 on a single to left field by Stanfield.

Sanford would regain the five-run lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Helps once again was central to the offense, leading off the inning with a single up the middle. After moving up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kemp, Helps would move to third on a balk by Mountaineer relief pitcher Alex Meyer. Helps would score on Grantham’s RBI double to right-center field to make it 7-2.

The Mountaineers would create the 7-3 final score with a run in the top of the seventh. Sheridan would start things with a one-out triple to deep right-center field. He would come in to score on a groundout to second base by Panzarella.

Luke Demko (Rhode Island/Gilford, N.H.) started on the mound and earned the win (1-1) for the Mainers. In seven innings of work, he gave up three runs on three hits, walked three and struck out six.

Jim Clancy started on the hill for Vermont and took the loss (1-1). In only 2.2 innings of work, he gave up six runs (four earned) on six hits, walked two, threw a wild pitch and struck out three.

The Mainers return to action on Tuesday, July 3 when they visit the Keene Swamp Bats. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Alumni Field in Keene, N.H. Matt Janik and Bob Lund 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.