Holdover Doesn’t Stop Sanford from Forcing Game Three
Mainers top Mountaineers 5-1 in Game Three

Montpelier, VT – Roughly 18 hours separated the two halves of game two of the NECBL Quarterfinals. In the end, the long holdover only delayed the inevitable as the Sanford Mainers held on the top the Vermont Mountaineers 5-1 Monday afternoon at Recreation Field. With the win, the Mainers forced a decisive game three to be played Tuesday night at 6:30 at Goodall Park.

Game two resumed play in the top of the fifth with the bases loaded and one away and a 2-2 count on Anthony D’Alfonso. The left-handed slugger struck out on a slider from reliever Eric Katzman. The Mainers would not let the opportunity go to waste however as the hot-hitting Branson Joseph once again delivered, this time with a two-run single to center to plate Corey Hunt and Brian Harris.

Matt Nandin tried to score all the way from first on the play but was thrown out. The Mountaineers would load the bases with the potential tying-run Joe Sparacino coming to the plate. Tony Chisman, who had just come on in relief, induced a broken-bat grounder to short for an inning-ending fielder’s choice.

The Mainers struck first in the top of the third. Will Greenberg led off with an opposite field single to left and reached second as the ball got by left fielder Nick Panzarella. Klint Reed tried to sacrifice Greenberg to third, but ended up reaching base himself on a bunt single down the third baseline. Hunt hit a tapper to first base bobbled by Sparacino. Greenberg scored and Hunt reached safely. Brian Harris moved Reed and Hunt up a base with a sacrifice bunt, and Matt Nandin tapped back to the mound. Anthony D’Alfonso came to the plate and lifted a soft fly ball down the left field line. It landed just inside the chalk and two runs came to the plate to give the Mainers a 3-0 lead. The Mountaineers would get on the board in the fourth on a RBI groundout by Greg Sherry, plating Steven Felix.

Jason Bowman allowed one run in four innings of work, walking one and striking out one. Phil Negus came out of the bullpen upon the resumption of play. He lasted two and two-thirds in a winning effort. Chisman pitched the final two and a third frames. Josh Syberg suffered the loss and gave up three runs, one earned in four and a third innings.


***Box scores available at necbl.com


Notes…The Mainers pitchers had four hit batsmen in the last four innings... Vermont stranded seven runners in the last five innings and 10 overall… Decisive game three will take place Tuesday night at Goodall Park. First pitch is slated for 6:30. Audio and video streaming are both available at sanfordmainers.com.