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.