Bowman, Nandin Key 4-2 Victory at Vermont
Sanford concludes home and home series against Mountaineers on Saturday

Montpelier, VT – In a game that saw a 90-minute rain delay prior to the start along with a sizeable fog delay in the middle innings, the Sanford Mainers beat the Vermont Mountaineers 4-2 Friday night at Recreation Field. Jason Bowman fired eight-plus innings and Matt Nandin homered for the first time this season in the Mainers’ fourth win against the Mountaineers this season. Vermont would get consecutive singles to start the ninth and would bring the tying run to the plate, chasing Bowman from the game. However, Ryan Cole came in and induced a RBI groundout, a foul pop out, and a strikeout of Ethan Paquette to earn the save.

The Mainers got the first run of the game in the second. Branson Joseph led off with a single up the middle. Devin Harris followed that with a infield single on a little dribbler down the third baseline. After Will Greenberg flew out to left, Greg Hopkins walked. Corey Hunt hit a slow chopper up the middle fielded by second baseman Nick Harris. Harris stepped on second base for one out, but had no chance to turn the double play as Joseph came in to score to give the Mainers a 1-0 edge.

Sanford would power themselves to a four-run lead in the third. Brian Harris blooped a single to center to start the frame. Nandin then came to the plate. And after hitting no home runs in the spring at LeMoyne College or in his first 104 at-bats this summer, the right-handed hitting second baseman pummeled a Bart Carter pitch way over the wall in left for a two-run blast. The Mainers capped off a three-run third on a RBI single by Greenberg, plating Joseph. Vermont would get one run back in the bottom of third. With Greg Sherry at the plate and runners at the corners, Michael Nesbitt attempted to steal second base. The catcher Greenberg threw late to second, which resulted in Jonathon Roof running in to score on from third to get the Mountaineers on the board.

Bowman improved to 4-2 on the year. He gave up two runs on six hits and struck out six, walking none. Cole picked up save number six on the season. Carter was shelled with the loss for Vermont. He lasted just three innings, and gave up four runs on six hits. Logan Billbrough pitched five terrific innings of relief, striking out six.

***Box scores available at necbl.com


Notes…Sanford is now 4-0 against Vermont this season… Bowman hasn’t walked a batter in either of his last two starts, spanning 17 innings... The Mainers welcome in the Mountaineers Saturday night at Goodall Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30. Audio and video streaming are both available at sanfordmainers.com