Gulls vs. Swamp Bats: NECBL Finals Preview

SERIES IN BRIEF
Newport got two days off, due to a rainout and a game three in the Western Division Finals. They also played the minimum number of playoff games in there two series with four, while Keene has played the maximum of six. This causes a problem for Keene, as Newport will have some of their best pitchers ready to go, while Keene has had to use them up. These two teams have appeared in 13 finals between the two of them, with Newport winning five and Keene winning three. They've faced off three times (including once when Newport were still the Rhode Island Gulls), from 2000-2002. Newport won two of the three.

KEENE SWAMP BATS - 27-17, #1 seed in the Western Division (0 games back)
Keene started 3-11, but rattled off 24 wins in their final 30 games, backed by the best hitters in the league and solid pitching as well. They earned the #1 seed, and worked hard to get here, going three games in both series. They've been here frequently before, including three matchups with Newport. Keene has good pitching, even better hitting but errors have hurt them at key times.

HOW THEY GOT HERE
First Round: Beat the #4 Holyoke Blue Sox in three games, 5-4, 2-4 and 16-1
Second Round: Beat the #2 Vermont Mountaineers in three games, 4-2, 2-3 and 9-8 (10 inn.)

PROJECTED LINEUP (SEASON STATS)

1. Zach Lucas-DH- .331/22R/17RBI
2. Matt Ford-2B- .272/24R/21RBI
3. JP Sportman-CF- .340/24R/31RBI
4. Brian O'Grady-RF- .297/23R/26RBI
5. Tommy Monnot-C- .263/12R/11RBI
6. Zachary Lauricella-LF- .248/21R/14RBI
7. Eric Gutierrez-1B- .226/19R/15RBI
8. Robbie Cafiero-3B- .341/9R/11RBI
9. Dylan Moore-SS- .243/29R/9RBI

NEWPORT GULLS - 30-14, #1 seed in the Eastern Division (0 games back)
The Gulls are almost a guarantee to make the championship series each year. It's no different this year, as they cruised to the best record in the league and have won four straight playoff games to get here. A balance of the best pitching and some of the best hitting, as well as surefire defense have placed them just two wins away from their second straight title and sixth all time.

HOW THEY GOT HERE
First Round: Swept the #4 Sanford Mainers, 11-4 and 4-0
Second Round: Swept the #3 Mystic Schooners, 5-1 and 3-1

PROJECTED LINEUP (SEASON STATS)
1. Shea Donlin-2B- .274/14R/11RBI
2. Adrian English-3B- .296/19R/12RBI
3. Trace Tam Sing-SS- .312/36R/15RBI
4. Ben Roberts-LF- .312/43R/35RBI 
5. Steve Anderson-1B- .236/25R/42RBI
6. Timmy Robinson-RF- .279/19R/22RBI
7. Brett Winger-DH- .247/9R/8RBI
8. Ethan Ferreira-C- .266/10R/12RBI
9. Cody Jones-CF- .261/32R/13RBI



SERIES PROJECTED STARTERS
Newport's Brett Graves (Missouri) vs. Keene's Nicholas Kozlowski (Hofstra)
Newport's Sean Hartnett (Washington St) vs. Keene's David Sosebee (Georgia)
Newport's Mark McCoy (Wake Forest) vs. Keene's Brian Hunter (Hartford)

Mendick's Clutch Single Gives Vermont 3-2 Walkoff Win

MONTPELIER, VT- For most of July, it seemed that the Mountaineers couldn't keep up with the division leading Swamp Bats. That all changed on Thursday night, as Danny Mendick (left) lined a walkoff single into the gap to tie up the series and force a game three.

After the lights in left field went out with a runner on first and nobody out, a 15 minute delay followed. When play resumed, Keene reliever John Birckbeck struck out two straight, but Brad Kaczka, who led off the inning with a walk made his way to third. Kaczka swiped second, and a throwing error by Swamp Bats catcher Tommy Monnot (his third of the game) put him on third with one out.

Mountaineer Kyle Smith, who has been struggling most of the season, went down looking to set the stage for Mendick. A late arrival, Mendick played his first game on July 22nd, and came into last nights game hitting just .000 in the playoffs, 0-8. He came through, however, as he delivered with a no-doubt line drive into the left-center gap that hit the bottom of the fence, below the scoreboard.

Kaczka jogged home and joined the Mountaineers surrounding the unlikely hero. Mendick, from Monroe Community College, hit .250 in the 12 games he played after getting the call from teammate Brad Kazcka, who informed them they needed a guy.

Vermont, who was plagued with injuries and losses, picked up Mendick and it payed off.

Hard throwing Vanderbilt righty Pat Delano came on in relief to earn the win, throwing two innings while allowing just one hit. Delano came in after Central Connecticut University's Cody Brown went seven strong, allowing two earned runs and five hits. Brown took the no decision, as did Keene's starter Paul Covelle.

Covelle, from Franklin Pierce University, threw six innings of two run ball (just one earned) while striking out five. He handed the ball over to Birkbeck, who threw two and two thirds before giving up the walkoff, and took the loss.

An interesting sidenote was that Brown got to face fellow CCU Blue Devil JP Sportman, the star center fielder for the Swamp Bats. In three at bats, Sportman flew out, hit a single and lined into a 5-4 double play.

Meanwhile, Monnot stayed active behind the plate. The Mountaineers continued their agressive baserunning, attempting to steal seven bases, with two being thrown out by Monnot. He didn't catch speedster Chandler Brock, however, who stole another two bases to raise his total in the postseason to five.

Keene built an early 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth on Matt Ford's RBI groundout and Monnots sacrifice fly, but errors got the Mountaineers back in it. With runners on first and third, AJ Ryan took off for second and a bad throw brought in Brock from third. The next at bat, Ryan advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home on another Monnot error.

The series is all tied up at one apiece, and the two teams meet for game three tomorrow night in Keene. The Swamp Bats will send their ace, University of Virginia left hander Nathan Kirby. Vermont counters with fellow Virginia lefty David Rosenberger. First pitch at 6:30 at Alumni Field.

Newport strikes early to take Game 1, 5-1

Timmy Robinson, USC 

NEWPORT, RI- Wild pitches and errors plagued the Schooners in the first inning, as the Gulls scored three in the first on their way to a 5-1 victory.

Three runners scored during outfielder Timmy Robinson's at bat, on a wild pitch and his reach on error. The early scoring backed starter Mark McCoy, who went six strong and didn't allow any runs while striking out six. McCoy picked up the win, while Mystic starter Anthony Galan was hit hard. Galan made it just three and a third, allowing five runs (all earned) on eight hits and struck out four, and was handed the loss.

After the first inning outburst, the Gulls struck again in the bottom of the third. Ty Moore knocked in Robinson with a RBI single to go up 4-0. The very next inning, Steve Anderson had a RBI single of his own, driving in Shea Donlin to lead 5-0.

Newport wouldn't score again, however, as the combination of four different pitchers over the next four and two thirds innings held the Gulls to just three hits. Tucker Panciera, Eric Morse, Nick Donatiello and Michael Eckerle finished the game out for Mystic.

Mystic threatened in the top of the eighth by scoring off a Nico Darras RBI single, but Gulls reliever Tyler Ferguson worked out of a jam and got the Schooners to strand three baserunners.

Ferguson threw two innings in relief after McCoy left, striking out four while allowing one earned run on three hits. Kyle Wilcox came on for the ninth, walking one but shutting down any Schooners threat.

Newport leadoff hitter Donlin finished the day 3-4 with a walk and a run scored, as him and #2 hitter Adrian English combined to go 6-9 with three runs scored.

Schooners cleanup hitter, first basemen Nico Darras went 3-4 with a RBI, while Brandon Cipolla continued his hot streak (.357 in the playoffs) with a double and a run scored.

Newport has a chance to sweep the Schooners and have the oppurtinity to win back-to-back NECBL championship in tonights game at Fitch High School in Mystic. The Gulls will send Michigan State junior Mick Van Vossen (3-0, 2.45 ERA) to the hill to face off against Rider junior Kurt Sowa (3-2, 3.04 ERA) for the Schooners.

Keene jumps ahead in eighth to win Game 1, 4-2

Eric Gutierrez, Texas Tech 

KEENE, NH-- Eric Gutierrez's clutch RBI single and a throwing error when he took off for second brought in two runs to go ahead.

Gutierrez's single and the throwing error when he stole second pushed Brian O'Grady and Zachary Lauricella across the plate, putting the Swamp Bats up for good. The Texas Tech sophomore gave Keene the lead, and closer James Connell finished it off in the ninth.

The first playoff matchup between the two teams since last summer, where the Swamp Bats drubbed Vermont 22-0 in the first round, was exciting from start to finish.

Keene added another two runs in the sixth on a Lauricella RBI single and on an error by Mountaineer second basemen Danny Mendick. Matthew Clancy picked up the win, going three strong in relief while Cameron Sorgie earned the loss for Vermont.

Clancy appeared in relief for starter Brian Hunter. Hunter went five strong, allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out six, earning the no-decision. Clancy came in the sixth, down 2-1 but the offense picked him up with the two run sixth and got the victory.

David Hickey started off the game for the Mountaineers, going five and a third while allowing two earned runs and allowing eight hits and two walks, as well as adding two strikeouts. Sorgie came in the sixth and had smooth sailing until the eight. He finished with the loss while walking two, allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out two.

Former Vermont Mountaineer Brian O'Grady scored two runs for Keene, going 0-1 but walking twice. He also got hit by a pitch, something he was very frustrated with seeing as he had been plunked the previous game against Holyoke.

Lauricella also came up big, going 3-3 with three singles, a RBI and a walk as well as one of the pivotal runs scored in the eight inning.

Mountaineer Chandler Brock went 1-3 with a single and a walk, as well as three stolen bases and a run. Thomas Roulis also went 2-4 and knocked in a run. Vermont's agressive baserunning came through, as they swiped four bases.

However, they were a little too agressive. In the sixth inning, Kevin Krause was thrown out at the plate after a ball four got by Swamp Bat catcher Monnot. Pitcher Hunter sprinted to the plate and Monnot chased down the ball and threw out Krause, who rounded third when he saw the ball go through.

Krause did do well behind the plate, gunning out three Keene baserunners, including Matt Ford . Ford was thrown out when their were runners on the corners in the 7th with just one out.

The Swamp Bats picked up a huge game one win, and now have the opportunity to clinch it when they head back to Vermont tonight, with the first pitch at 6:30. Keene, looking for the clinch will send 3-1 righthander Paul Covelle from Franklin Pierce University, who boasts a 0.62 ERA, to face off against Vermont's Cody Brown, the lefthander from Central Connecticut University who is 4-1 with a 3.20 ERA.

Western Division Finals Preview

SERIES IN BRIEF
The Keene Swamp Bats and the Vermont Mountaineers have been battling for dominance in the Western Division since the Mountaineers came into the league in 2003. Since '03, Keene has two and Vermont as two, making this a challenge to see who can get into the finals and possibly go up one in the rivalry (Keene does have another championship but it came in 2000, before Vermont was in the league). The Mountaineers are also trying to avenge last years loss in the first round to Keene, where their star pitcher Alex Haines was pounded in game one. The Mountaineers lost 22-0 and then dropped the next game in the sweep.

KEENE SWAMP BATS - 27-17, #1 seed in the Western Division (0 games back)
Keene started 3-11, but rattled off 24 wins in their final 30 games, backed by the best hitters in the league and solid pitching as well. A .278 team batting average tops in the league as well as 36 home runs. The small Alumni Field and some of the top hitters in the league makes for a potent offense. The pitching is almost just as good, with a 2.87 team ERA that is the third and final sub-3.00 team ERA. Fielding isn't an issue either, as they rank third there as well. Three top three finishes make for an all-around talented team. The Swamp Bats got here by winning the first game narrowly, 5-4 after staving off a Holyoke comeback in the ninth. The Swamp Bats were held to two runs the next game, behind a dominant pitching performance by Blue Sox Michael Burke. In a crucial game three, the bats came alive in a 16-1 pounding to advance to the division finals.

PROJECTED LINEUP (SEASON STATS)

1. Zach Lucas-DH- .331/22R/17RBI
2. Matt Ford-2B- .272/24R/21RBI
3. JP Sportman-CF- .340/24R/31RBI
4. Brian O'Grady-RF- .297/23R/26RBI
5. Tommy Monnot-C- .263/12R/11RBI
6. Zachary Lauricella-LF- .248/21R/14RBI
7. Eric Gutierrez-1B- .226/19R/15RBI
8. Robbie Cafiero-3B- .341/9R/11RBI
9. Dylan Moore-SS- .243/29R/9RBI

VERMONT MOUNTAINEERS - 24-20, #2 seed in the Western Division (3 games back)
The Mountaineers started off strong but were plagued by injuries and losses in the second half of the season. They limped into the playoffs. with a 24-20 record, staving off third place North Adams by just two games. The Mountaineers have been boosted by their stalwart pitching, with a 3.11 ERA that ranks fourth in the league. Vermont's bats have been coming alive, as they've boosted their average to .252, which ranks fifth in the league. Not a power team, they get it done with frequent RBI singles. The Mountaineers took on the SteepleCats in the first round, and swept them. The first game, Trey Oest turned in a complete game performance for Vermont to win 4-1. The next game, both starting pitchers, John Miles for Vermont and Michael Murphy for North Adams went nine innings apiece in a 12-inning affair. A two run top of the 12th gave them a 3-1 victory and a spot in the division finals.

PROJECTED LINEUP (SEASON STATS)

1. Thomas Roulis-SS- .244/16R/12RBI
2. Mike Triller-LF- .211/8R/9RBI
3. Chandler Brock-CF- .339/22R/12RBI
4. Kevin Krause-C- .370/8R/6RBI (46 AB)
5. Kyle Smith-RF- .169/4R/6RBI
6. AJ Ryan-1B- .172/7R/7RBI
7. Brad Kaczka-3B- .264/14R/12RBI
8. Bret Dennis-2B- .255/15R/5RBI
9. Danny Mendick-DH- .250/3R/2RBI (32 AB)


SERIES PROJECTED STARTERS
Keene's Brian Hunter vs. Vermont's Sean Meekins
Keene's Nathan Kirby vs. Vermont's David Hickey
Keene's Paul Covelle vs. Vermont's Cody Brown

Eastern Division Finals Preview

SERIES IN BRIEF
The Mystic Schooners, in their third year after moving from Bristol, made the playoffs for the first time after going 9-31 a year ago. Their first matchup against Newport, the Gulls are looking to win their second straight NECBL championship in a row, as well as their league-leading sixth title. The Schooners as a franchise have won once, back when they were the Eastern Tides in 1998, but look for their first championship appearance under a new name.

MYSTIC SCHOONERS - 22-22, #3 seed in the Eastern Division (8 games back)
Mystic got here by staying out of the tiebreakers and hitting the ball well, something they struggled to do in the regular season, hitting just .237. They've broken out in the playoffs, scoring 18 runs in their first two games and upsetting the #2 seeded Ocean State Waves. The only upset of the first round, a majority of the Eastern Division will be rooting for them to take down the consistently good Gulls. The Schooners may have a low average, but they've hit 22 home runs, good for third in the league. There pitching is in the middle of the pack with a 3.53 team ERA, but they get the job done and its what counts. Just getting this far is huge for the Schooners, who as mentioned above, had two straight losing seasons after moving from Bristol.

PROJECTED LINEUP (SEASON STATS)

1. Keaton Flint-LF- .266/23R/9RBI
2. Brandon Cipolla-CF- .252/14R/21RBI
3. Alec Keller -2B- .291/16R/11RBI
4. Nico Darras-1B- .340/15R/12RBI
5. Tyler Boyd-DH- .270/27R/24RBI
6. Matt OHerron-3B- .204/6R/9RBI
7. Kyle Holland-C- .258/4R/7RBI
8. Byron Campbell-RF- .207/14R/15RBI
9. Anthony Turgeon-SS- .204/13R/9RBI

NEWPORT GULLS - 30-14, #1 seed in the Eastern Division (0 games back)
Just face it, the Gulls are always good. It's the same story this year, as Newport breezed into the division finals with a two game sweep of the #4 seeded Sanford Mainers. Near the top in both hitting and fielding, the Gulls are second in average and fourth in fielding percentage. Their shining point, however is their incredible pitching. A 2.18 ERA, which is a full 60 points ahead of the second place team and combined with their great offense make the Gulls once again a scary team to face off against.

PROJECTED LINEUP (SEASON STATS)
1. Shea Donlin-2B- .274/14R/11RBI
2. Adrian English-3B- .296/19R/12RBI
3. Trace Tam Sing-SS- .312/36R/15RBI
4. Ben Roberts-LF- .312/43R/35RBI 
5. Steve Anderson-1B- .236/25R/42RBI
6. Timmy Robinson-RF- .279/19R/22RBI
7. Brett Winger-DH- .247/9R/8RBI
8. Ethan Ferreira-C- .266/10R/12RBI
9. Cody Jones-CF- .261/32R/13RBI




SERIES PROJECTED STARTERS
Newport's Mark McCoy vs. Mystic's Kurt Sowa
Newport's James Mulry vs. Mystic's Anthony Galan
Newport's Brett Lilek vs. Mystic's Jeffery Stoddard

Top NECBL Teams of All-Time

The NECBL has been around since 1994, and over 200 different rosters have played under 35 different team names, logos and locations. Some teams have been incredible some years, and other times not as good. NECBL.com has stat archives that date back to the inception of the league, complete with standings, rosters and league leaders. With the division finals approaching tomorrow, and the championship just days away- now would be as good time as any to look back at the top three teams in the 20 years the NECBL has been around that have graced the fields across New England. 

1. 2006 Newport Gulls (32-10), lost in the Southern Division Finals

The Newport Gulls are consistently one of the best teams in the league, but in 2006, despite not winning the Fay Vincent Cup, the Gulls dominated in the regular season, setting the record for wins in a year with 32. The Gulls put together two huge winning streaks, two ten game streaks separated by just six games. Led by league MVP Jim Murphy and Manager of the Year Mike Coombs, the Gulls finished seven games ahead of second place North Adams, easily earning the #1 seed in the playoffs. 

Newport lost the first game against the Manchester Silworms before recovering and taking the next two to advance. They were swept by the Torrington Twisters in the divisional finals, who went on to fall to the Vermont Mountaineers in the championship.

Murphy (right) led the league in average with a .358 mark and in RBIs with 40, while teammates Chris Dominguez hit 11 home runs and Matt Bouchard scored 29 runs, all leading the league. Pitching wise, ace Pat McAney went 7-0 with a 1.74 ERA to lead the team. A little piece of history was also made on July 21st, when three Gulls combined to throw a no-hitter, allowing six walks and no errors, against the SteepleCats. The Gulls are in the record book multiple times for this season, but one mark that could stand for some time is their 2.03 team ERA.

2. 2012 Newport Gulls (31-10), NECBL Champions

Another Newport team takes second, as the 2012 Gulls were ranked the best summer collegiate baseball team all across the United States. "In winning their fifth NECBL title in 12 years, the Gulls fielded arguably the best club in their existence. They broke numerous team and league records, and dominated to such a degree that they were hailed as the No. 1 summer-league team in the country in 2012. Perfect Game USA bestowed that honor on the team in its final weekly ranking of the nation’s top summer clubs." Led by batting champion Jeff Melillo and four players on the All-NECBL First Team, the Gulls flew by any competition and swept the Danbury Westerners to win the NECBL title.

The Gulls earned the #1 seed in the West, finishing six and a half ahead of the New Bedford Bay Sox. The Sanford Mainers were their first test, and in a series that went all three games, the Gulls passed it by winning two straight after dropping Game 1. The second place Bay Sox were the next threat, but the Gulls swept them and then the Westerners for a six game winning streak that earned them their fifth Fay Vincent Cup.

Melillo set the NECBL record for batting average with a .404 mark, as well as leading the league in OBP (.548) and the pitching was anchored by First teamer Daniel Wright and Reliever of the Year Pete Kelich. Kelich earned his award after going 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 12 apperances and 41 innings pitched, while Wright went 6-0 with a 3.94 ERA and started the All-Star game for the East. Outfielder Yale Rosen was also a bright spot, earning the Freshman of the Year award and breaking the Gulls home run record with 12 before injuring his shoulder at the All-Star game.

3. 2003 Torrington Twisters (30-10), lost in the NECBL Championship

The Twisters moved and are currently the New Bedford Bay Sox, but in 2003 they were the best team in the NECBL. The Twisters went 30-10 and made it all the way to the NECBL championship. Torrington sent three players to the All-NECBL First Team, while Jeff Natale also earned the 10th Man of the Year award while leading the league in doubles. The Twisters lost more than one game in a row just twice, and pieced together a nine game winning streak around the middle of the season that pulled them away from competition.

Torrington swept the Middletown Giants in the first round, and followed with another sweep of the two-time defending champions Newport in the divisonal finals. They took on the Keene Swamp Bats in the final round, who had been denied the previous two years of a title. Keene eked out a 2-0 win in Game 1 and followed with a resounding 7-1 victory to clinch the title.

Natale (right with Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre) led the team with a .322 batting average, and Jim Fasano knocked in 22 runs. Not a home run hitting or high scoring team, the Twisters relied on their league best pitching to pave the path to the finals. Matt Torra anchored their starting rotation, going 5-1 with a 1.37 ERA over seven starts. However, it was Randy Newson and the bullpen that played a huge part of the Twisters success. Newson, over 12 appearances had a 0.65 ERA and four saves. John Cronin played the role of closer, earning eight saves.

Also Receiving Consideration

YEAR	TEAM	W-L	OUTCOME
2009	Newport Gulls	31-10	CHAMPIONS
2002	Keene Swamp Bats	31-11	RUNNERS UP
1998	Torrington Twisters	30-12	RUNNERS UP
2005	Keene Swamp Bats	30-13	DIVISION FINALS
2012	Keene Swamp Bats	29-13	DIVISION FINALS

Day 2: NECBL Playoffs

Three teams were knocked out last night as just one series was pushed to the third and final game. Mystic continued their offensive outburst to win 7-1, eliminating Ocean State. The Schooners, who just a year ago was 9-31, have completed a turnaround with a sweep of the Waves and now have a matchup with Newport. The Gulls flew by Sanford 4-0, sweeping the Mainers and earning yet another spot in the Eastern Division championship. On the other side of the bracket, in the Western Division, Vermont knocked out North Adams in a 3-1, 12-inning affair. The Mountaineers earned the sweep, and now await their opponent for the division finals. Holyoke stayed alive with a 4-2 victory over Keene, setting the stage for a win-or-go home game three tonight.

Mystic Schooners 7, Ocean State Waves 1

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
OceanState	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	4	1
Mystic	2	0	2	2	0	0	0	1	x	7	11	0

MYSTIC, CT- Mystic went ahead in the top of the first, and added more runs throughout the game, backing Joel Rosencrance's strong outing, completing a two-game sweep of the #2 seeded Waves. Tyler Boyd knocked in two runs and Rosencrance threw seven innings of one run ball to drive the Schooners into the second round of the playoffs, a year after going 9-31.

Alec Keller had an RBI double in the first and came around to score on a wild pitch, giving the Schooners a two run lead they never lost. Mystic added two more in the third and fourth, going up 6-0 before Ocean State finally scored in the sixth on a Shaun McGraw RBI groundout.

Mystic chased Wave's starter James Bessell after just three innings of work, despite him allowing just one earned run. Bessell allowed four runs on five hits and walked three, and was handed the loss. Rosencrance picked up the win for a seven inning, five strikeout outing.

Keaton Flint and Keller both scored two runs while Boyd was the only hitter with multiple RBIs. The Schooners #9 hitter, Anthony Turgeon went 3-4 with a run and a RBI. Ocean State only had four hits, two of which belonged to leadoff hitter Evan Ocello, who also scored the Wave's only run.

Ocean State is done for the year, while Mystic will be traveling to Newport on Wednesday night for the first game of the Eastern division finals. The Schooners will be sending All-Star Kurt Sowa to the mound, who is 3-2 over seven starts with a 3.04 ERA, including a shutout. Newport's probable is lefty Mark McCoy, who is 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA over 10 appearances, including three starts.

Holyoke Blue Sox 4, Keene Swamp Bats 2

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Keene	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	6	1
Holyoke	0	0	0	1	0	3	0	0	x	4	6	3

HOLYOKE, MA- Down 1-0 in the series, and in a do-or-die situation, Holyoke righty Michael Burke (left) showed up for the Blue Sox. In a dazzling complete game where he held the best hitting team in the league to just two runs on six hits, a big sixth inning put Holyoke up for good and on their way to a game three.

Burke, who earned the win, threw 120 pitches while allowing two runs, neither of which were earned. He also struck out nine, including the 4-5-6 of the Swamp Bats order seven times. Burke also didn't walk a batter, and despite his defense committing three errors, he worked through it.

Keene struck first in the second inning, jumping out to a 2-0 on a 2-RBI single by shortstop Dylan Moore. Down 2-0, Holyoke battled back in the fourth against Nicholas Kozlowski. Brendan Hendriks had a RBI double to cut the Swamp Bats lead to two.

It stayed a pitchers duel, as Burke allowed just one hitter to reach over the next 12 he faced, and he was caught stealing. Kozlowski continued his dominant start, with seven strikeouts under his belt before he lost it in the sixth, giving up three runs, although none of them were earned.

Connor McKay reached on an error to lead off the inning, and shortly after the bases were loaded with one out, and Vahn Bozoian proved to be clutch with a 2-RBI single to give them a one run lead. Jason Lombardozzi worked a walk with the bases loaded again, and a two run lead was all Burke needed.

Burke earned the victory and threw his third straight complete game, and his fifth on the season. Kozlowski took the loss, despite allowing just one earned run. The series is all knotted up at one apiece, and tonight Holyoke will sent pitcher of the week Jordan Kutzer (1-1, 1.72 ERA) from Stanford to square off against Georgia's David Scosebee (4-2, 3.62) for Keene.

Newport Gulls 4, Sanford Mainers 0

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Newport	0	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	4	6	0
Sanford	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0

SANFORD, ME- A big second inning was more than enough for the Gulls, who threw a combined shutout between three pitchers. Sean Hartnett (right) got the start, and threw six innings allowing just four hits on his way to victory while Kyle McGrath and Kyle Wilcox finished the final three innings.

Newport went ahead early with three runs in the second on a Steve Anderson RBI double and Brett Winger's 2-RBI single. Up 3-0, the lead was more than enough as they were shutdown before tacking on another in the 7th on Shea Donlin's RBI single.

Sanford's Evan Hill picked up the loss, throwing four and two thirds and giving up three earned runs, all in the second. It wasn't easy for Newport's pitchers, as Hartnett walked five and allowed a base runner every inning but the sixth.

Hartnett got the win, giving the Gulls the series sweep of Sanford. Newport will head home and prepare for the Eastern Division finals, facing off against the upstart Mystic Schooners. The Gulls will send left hander Mark McCoy to face off against the Schooners Kurt Sowa.

Vermont Mountaineers 3, North Adams 1

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12		R	H	E
Vermont	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2		3	9	0
North Adams	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		1	9	1

NORTH ADAMS, MA- The two starters, Vermont's John Miles and North Adams Michael Murphy, went
a combined 18 innings, allowing just two earned runs, ten hits and combined for fifteen strikeouts. Neither of them picked up the victory, as it took late inning heroics and three crucial singles to give Vermont the victory and series win.

Bret Dennis hit a RBI single with one out in the eighth to tie it up at one apiece, and back-to-back RBI singles by Chandler Brock (right) and Kevin Krause in the 12th gave Vermont a two run lead going into the bottom half. 

The starters were incredible. Vermont's Miles was pounced on early, allowing a run in the third off a Joe Landi RBI single, but North Adams was shutdown after that. He threw 101 pitches and struck out six, allowing just six hits. He earned the no decision due to it going to extras, but turned in the pitching performance Vermont sorely needed.

North Adams Murphy had just as good of a start, striking out seven and carrying a perfect game into the seventh. He retired the first 18 batters he faced before giving up a double to start the seventh off to Thomas Roulis, He gave up a RBI single in the eight to tie it up and push it into extras.

Both teams were quiet until Vermont broke it out against SteepleCats reliever JoeAnthony Rivera in the bottom of the 12th. Rivera took the loss, while the Mountaineer's Brandon Alphin, who pitched all three of the extra innings earned the victory.

The loss knocks North Adams out of the playoffs, sending Vermont to the next round. Vermont will send Sean Meekins to the mound in the first game of the Western Division finals, but it is unknown who they will be facing. That's to be decided tonight in the do-or-die game three between Holyoke and Keene.

Mr. 19: Danny Collins and his NECBL Season

Last night, the Jamestown Jammers took on the Brooklyn Cyclones. Two Class-A Short Season affiliates of the Pirates and the Mets, the Cyclones won, 7-4. Danny Collins (left), a 6-2, 205 pound first baseman for the Jammers went 1-4 with a double and a run scored. The former-Troy University baseball star now holds a .257 batting average over 43 games scored, with 22 RBI's and 13 doubles.

Flash back to last summer, in Laconia, New Hampshire. Laconia is host to the New England Collegiate Baseball Franchise (NECBL) the Laconia Muskrats, created in 2010 after moving from Manchester. Formerly the Manchester Silworms, the Muskrats play at Robbie Mills Field, a park with a mock-green monster in left and played host to this years All-Star Game and HR Derby.

Last summer, though, the derby ran the whole summer at Robbie Mills due to a 6-2 first baseman who had the sweetest swing in New England.

The 2012 season started on June 8th for Laconia, playing host to the Sanford Mainers. Rain ended the game in the fifth inning, but not before Collins lit up the scoreboard with a home run to leadoff the fourth inning. He grounded out two other times, finishing 1-3 but had a good start to his first game of the summer.

A game later, he hit another solo shot. Two home runs through three games, Collins already drew the attention of fans across the NECBL, not used to power being on display

He hit four over his next 14 games, and that was when he really started heating up. A two-home run game against Newport. Another two bombs just a couple of days later against Sanford. Through 21 games, half the season, he'd hit ten home runs.  To put that in perspective, the NECBL league-leader in home runs for the entire season hit seven. Not even halfway through the season, Collins already had three more home runs than the league leader this summer.

Over the next nine games, he put together a streak of three straight games with a home run, and totaled four more. Collins doubled the 2013 NECBL home run leader by game number 30, with 15 to spare.

He hit number 15 on July 20th against Danbury, a two-run blast, giving him momentum heading into the All-Star break on the 22nd.

The All-Star game proved to be a showcase for Collins. He participated in the Home Run Derby, and not even spacious Recreation Field, home of the Vermont Mountaineers, could contain him.

"It's just BP, in a bigger setting," Collins said afterwards. "I go out there, have a blast with it and good things happen."

Good things did happen, as he hit 13 home runs over the course of the derby, including a seven home run first round. One blast that went foul over the short fence in left field smashed the rear window of a Mountaineer sound technician.

"I hit one pretty well foul," on the fatal foul ball, "It went straight through a back windshield over there. He brought it to me and said it was in his cup holder and he actually had me sign it."

Collins also participated in the All-Star game as the Eastern Division starting third basemen, but went 0-2. His first at bat, against NECBL Pitcher of the Year Alex Haines, he flew out to right field. The next time around, he went down swinging against Danbury lefty Brett Houseal. He was than pinch-hit for, seeing as it was an All-Star game.

A popular saying is that home run derby's "mess up your swing." Much has been made of this so-called curse, but it didn't affect Danny Collins.

The next day, in a crucial 8-3 win against Newport, he hit his 16th home run of the year. He wasn't done yet, however.

A week later, on July 29th, Collins hit not one, not two but three home runs against Newport to bump his total up to 19. He finished the season with that total two days later, entering his name into the record books multiple times.

"The timing of my swing was probably the biggest factor of my success," Collins said on his record breaking season, "And I hope the 19 home runs stand for a while but provide future NECBL players something to shoot for."


If you ever visit NECBL.com, and look at the record book section, Collins name is there four times as well as a picture. The picture, on the right, shows him holding out a ball, with the number 19 on it. However, his home run total isn't the only thing he's in there for.

Danny Collins appears with his 130 total bases, 29 extra base hits and a .818 slugging percentage. All numbers that will be tough to break, and they weren't broken this year. The leaders in those categories this summer?

Expansion franchise Ocean State's Michael Gerber has a .565 slugging percentage, two are tied with seven home runs, Newport's Ben Roberts had 79 total bases and the most extra base hits with 22. The only one relatively close was Roberts and his 22 extra base hits, the cause for that was him setting the record for doubles with 18.

Collins also won the Rick Ligi MVP, and barely missed out on the batting average champion award by just 14 points, as his .390 mark wasn't quite enough. He also was named as the starting third basemen for the All-NECBL First Team, announced after the playoffs.

On his return to Troy the following season, Collins picked up where he left off, being named to the Louisville Slugger All-America team and to the prestigious Golden Spikes Award watch list. He was a key component of the "Fearsome Foursome," a lethal section of the potent Trojans lineup.

Collins (left) graduated from Troy, and had the choice to return to play another year due to his eligibility. He chose not to, and after being selected in the 13th round and the 389th pick, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"Getting drafted by the Pirates is something I'll never forget," Collins said. "It was a special moment that I got to share with my family and fiance."

Collins signed alongside Jeff Roy (left), a University of Rhode Island graduate who played against him in the NECBL All-Star game. Roy was a member of the North Adams SteepleCats, and has his name in the record books as well. Roy had a .960 stolen base percentage for North Adams, a NECBL record. Now, both of them are currently on the Jammers.

The 5-9 outfielder from Cranston, Rhode Island has already swiped 20 bases as well as 24 runs scored to go along with a .303 batting average. Roy has played 44 games, which is all but one of the Jammers season.

"The minor leagues are definitely different from college because you play a game everyday, and obviously the talent is quite a bit better," Collins said in an interview. "And, at the same time, it is very hard to be away from my family."

On June 24th, Collins earned New-York Penn League Player of the Week honors and has been consistent throughout his first minor league season.

"The easiest past has to be getting up and going to work everyday," he mentioned. "Because after all that is just going out on the field and playing baseball."

Danny Collins is past the college stage of his baseball career, but one thing is sure. Neither him, the Laconia Muskrats or the NECBL will forget him.

"There is no question, the summer I had in Laconia helped me put my name out there to the scouts," he said. Now, he prepares for his next game in the grind that is minor league baseball, as he works to climb the ladder to the show.

All-NECBL Team

This years NECBL regular season was filed with frantic playoff chases, pitchers throwing gems and hitters having incredible performances. Newport's Benny Roberts broke the doubles record. Keene went from 3-11 and finished 27-17. The season was filled with excitement from the first pitch on June 6th to the last playoff tiebreaker game. Here is my All-NECBL team, as dictated by my player rankings.

Hitting

Pos	Player	Team	AVG	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB
C	Boyd, T	MSC	0.270	27	40	9	7	24	6
1B	Shaw, C	NBS	0.335	24	52	11	5	39	1
2B	Landi, J	NSC	0.348	27	48	8	0	6	22
SS	Tam Sing, T	NG	0.312	36	58	17	0	14	18
3B	Bailey, C	OSW	0.298	32	48	2	3	24	7
LF	Torres, J	LMR	0.315	31	51	9	0	9	28
CF	Sportman, J	KSB	0.340	24	50	13	4	31	12
RF	Roberts, B	NG	0.312	43	53	18	5	35	5
DH	Gerber, M	OSW	0.340	26	50	10	7	30	0

Imagine facing off against this team. You wouldn't exactly want to if you were a pitcher. Here's my recommended batting order.

1- Joe Torres-LF

• Very fast, he led the league in stolen bases with 28 for the Muskrats. High average hitter, few strikeouts and can work the walk very well, 33 walks which leads this team.

• Not a RBI guy, but did score 31 runs and is a very smart baserunner. No home run power, but can hit doubles frequently (9).

• Consistent, playing in every game. 33:17 strikeout to walk ratio, 28-31 stolen bases.

• One of the top fielders on the team, his speed allows him to cover a lot of ground in the outfield, but playing in the confines of Robbie Mills Field doesn't say a lot.

2- Ben Roberts-RF

• A machine, Roberts is one of the best pure hitters on the team.

• Has some power, as he cranked 18 doubles (NECBL record) as well as five home runs. Strikes out a lot as well, a common power trait.

• Took advantage of his location in a potent Gulls lineup to score a lot of runs. Having him in front of Steve Anderson was crucial to his success.

• Good defensively, can cover ground and make the play.

3-JP Sportman-CF

• Back for his second year as a Swamp Bat, this one is arguably just as good. Hitting .340 and all around just good.

• Can hit for power as well as for average, and had 13 doubles this summer and four home runs. Also swiped 12 bases and worked more walks than strikeouts.

• Knocked in a lot of runs batting out of the three spot for Keene, which is the perfect location for him.

• Huge part of the Swamp Bats #1 offense in the league.

4- Chris Shaw-1B

• Shaw is an unconventional power hitting first baseman. He's good defensively, almost walks as much as he strikes out, and doesn't even go down on strikes that much.

• Has power, which is intriuging. A patient hitter, Shaw can look for pitches he wants and drive them in the gaps. 11 doubles and 5 home runs this year.

• Knocked in 39 runs for an Bay Sox team that finished right near the bottom of the Eastern Division standings.

5- Michael Gerber-DH

• Normally he would be in the three or four spot, but in this lineup he fits right behind Shaw. A great hitter, Gerber has considerable power which comes with K's.

• A .340 hitter, he hit seven home runs and ten doubles and didn't swipe a single base. A generic power hitter, he can crush the ball but misses just as frequently.

• Huge part of the Waves home run offense that hit 30 this year, Gerber hit almost a quarter of them.

6- Tyler Boyd-C

• You normally expect the 4-5-6 part of the lineup to do a couple of things. Knock runners in, hit home runs and doubles as well as strike out a lot. That may be the case with Gerber, but neither Boyd or Shaw K frequently,

• Boyd has serious power and despite only holding a .270 average, he walks more than he strikeouts out and has hit 16 extra base hits this year, including seven home runs.

7- Trace Tam Sing-SS

• Tam Sing is fast, good at defense, hits for average and for doubles. He has a lot of tools.

• First of all, speed. He has swiped 18 stolen bases but doesn't draw the walks while striking out a lot.

• He's also not a 4-5-6 hitter because even though he hits for doubles, he fits in better in the 2-3 spots, which are occupied...So having a guy like this is the seven spot shows just how deep this team is.

8- Caden Bailey-3B

•  Imagine having a .298 hitter who has played almost every game, has a 1:1 K-BB ratio and hits single after single after single, getting on nonstop. 

• He doesn't hit doubles (2) or home runs (3) but he gets the job done getting on. Basically another leadoff guy in this lineup, he and Landi (below) can get the ball rolling for when Torres and the top of the lineup rolls aroudn.

9- Joe Landi-2B

• What is the best hitter by average doing at the end of the lineup? Setting the plate, making this truly a circular lineup. Landi can knock in Bailey or Tam Sing and set it up for Torres to get on, and then you have two of the best hitters in the league follow him.

• Landi is also very fast (22 steals) and has walked seven more times than he's struck out, which he's only done 11 times.

• Doesn't hit for power but he gets on all the time

Pitching

Pos	Player	Team	G	GS	CG	IP	BB	SO	W	L	SV	ERA
SP	Burke, M	HOL	9	8	3	65	9	56	3	1	0	0.55
SP	Kirby, N	KSB	8	7	0	43	18	60	3	0	0	1.67
SP	Squier, S	NSC	10	10	3	69	18	70	4	5	0	2.74
SP	Miles, J	VM	8	5	0	37.2	11	32	3	1	2	1.2
SP	Hunter, B	KSB	8	8	0	38.1	17	52	3	2	0	1.88
RP	Hartnett, S	NG	11	3	0	34.2	5	38	3	1	0	1.82
RP	Rivera, J	NSC	15	0	0	17.2	2	19	3	0	5	1.02
RP	Wilcox, K	NG	16	0	0	18.2	8	27	1	0	7	0.48
RP	Powers, O	OSW	14	0	0	24.1	7	25	3	1	6	1.11
CL	Rice, S	SM	14	0	0	28.2	10	52	5	2	6	0.94

The lineup is above, so now the rotation. The writing in italics is statements provided by people who've been writing about the different teams.

1- Michael Burke (Holyoke)

Workhorse, threw 65 innings this summer after throwing 69 innings pitched at the University of Buffalo, plays shortstop as well, hit .290 in 54 games played at Buffalo, struck out 56 here in the NECBL, walked just 9, very accurate, 3-1, 0.55 ERA and THREE complete games, high stamina, tough to work against, doesn't allow a lot of extra base hits.

2- Nathan Kirby (Keene)

University of Viriginia product, threw 37 innings this spring and has started games in Keene instead of his traditional middle reliever role, excelling at this new spot, thrown 43 innings so far this summer and struck out 60, really can blow it by you, threw 24 games at UVA and has the stuff and stamina to become a starter when he goes back, 18 walks is a lot but he can work out of jams excellently

3- Scott Squier (North Adams)

He left to go back, but not before absolutely dominated the NECBL with 70 strikeouts over ten starts and 69 innings of work, averaging almost 7 innings a start, three complete games after starting 14 games as a freshman at the University of Hawaii, where he pitched 64 innings and went 3-4 with 55 K's, has done even better here with pinpoint accuracy, and also has great stamina and will go deep into games on a regular basis

4- John Miles (Vermont)

Has performed in multiple roles for the Mountaineers after throwing as a reliever for his whole college season, at the University of Missouri he had a team-leading 2.35 ERA in 23 innings pitched, and has transitioned to be a starter here in Vermont but has also appeared as a reliever and as a closer, roles which he has excelled at, doesn't get a lot of strikeouts (32 in 37 innings) but gets the job done, something that has been tough due to sub-par fielding behind him

5- Brian Hunter (Keene)

Hunter has been great for the Swamp Bats, played DH and 1B at the University of Hartford while also serving as a pitcher, a role he's excelled at in Keene, this spring he was 3-4 with a 4.71 ERA over 65 innings pitched and is 3-2 in Keene, with a 1.88 ERA over 38 innings pitched.

6- Bullpen

The bullpen is loaded with some of the most lockdown players in the league- Sean Hartnett, JoeAnthony Rivera, Kyle Wilcox, Oliver Powers and the closer Steven Rice. Here are some snippets on each player. Hartnett has done it all, from starting to relieving and is a huge part of their success; Rivera is great to slide in and know you can get the outs from him; Wilcox has a ridicoulously low ERA and doesn't give up anything; Powers has been perfect for Ocean State out of the pen with his ability to effectively quell any threat; and Rice has been the best closer the NECBL has seen for some time.