STOVALL EIGHTH-INNING DOUBLE PUSHES MAINERS PAST ALL-AMERICANS, 2-1

SANFORD – Tyler Stovall hit a double to the gap in left-center field to score Jeff Grantham from first base and put the Sanford Mainers ahead to stay as they defeated the Lowell All-Americans 2-1 in NECBL play at Goodall Park on Thursday night. Kevin Landry, Ryan Lapointe and Nick Carlucci combined to pitch five scoreless innings to close out the ballgame for the Mainers (16-22), who moved out of last place in the Northern Division for the first time since June 25. Heath Wall drove in the only run of the game for Lowell (14-21), and Bryan Leigh tossed six innings without allowing an earned run in defeat.

The All-Americans started the scoring with a run in the top of the second inning. Tom Stack-Babich led off with a single to left field. Two batters later, he moved to third base on a single through the right side by Bobby Brown. Heath Wall followed with a run-scoring single to right-field, driving in Stack-Babich with Lowell’s lone run of the night.

The Mainers tied it up at 1-1 with an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Jeff Helps (Central Michigan/Wyoming, Ontario) reached first base on a fielding error by Lowell shortstop Kevin Nolan. Helps moved to second base on a hit-and-run groundout to shortstop by Brian Kemp (St. John’s/East Rockaway, N.Y.) and then scored the tying run on a single through the right side by Noah Lankford (Central Michigan/Cincinnati, Ohio).

Sanford took the lead for good with another unearned run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, Jeff Grantham (St. John’s/Randolf, N.J.) reached on a fielding error by third baseman Heath Wall. Tyler Stovall (Central Michigan/Cincinnati, Ohio) then hit a double that one-hopped the wall in left-center field and picked up his team-leading 23rd run batted in of the season as Grantham came around to score from first base.

Brendon Rowlands (SUNY Cortland/Utica, N.Y.) started on the mound and did not factor in the decision for Sanford. Over four innings of work, he gave up one run on five hits, walked two and struck out one. Kevin Landry (William & Mary) picked up the win (3-2) in relief. Pitching two shutout innings over the top of the fifth and sixth innings out of the bullpen, Landry gave up no hits, issued one walk and struck out three. Nick Carlucci (Southern Connecticut State/Franklin, Mass.) allowed one hit and issued a walk but struck out the side in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.

Bryan Leigh started on the hill and took the loss (3-3) for Lowell. Over six innings, he surrendered two unearned runs on five hits, walked two and struck out three.

The Mainers return to action on Friday, July 27 when they host the Holyoke Giants. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Goodall Park in Sanford. Matt Janik and Mike Lord 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.