Game Preview: Mountaineers look to rebound Sunday

After falling in the bottom of the ninth on Saturday night, the Vermont Mountaineers will look to rebound on Sunday night when they take on the Sanford Mainers for the second time in this young season.

The Mountaineers bullpen faltered late as reliever Jared Gesell gave up two runs, including a bases-loaded walkoff single to hand Vermont their third straight loss.

Vermont enters tonights game two games under .500 at 2-4, while the Mainers are two games over the .500 mark at 4-2. The Mountaineers, however, lead the season series as they beat Sanford 1-0 last Monday.

Today, the Mountaineers will send right-hander Elliot Ashbeck to the mound. He'll oppose the Mainers Christian Lavoie. Both of these pitchers have made a start on the young season.

Ashbeck dominated Sanford as he pitched to contact and relied on a stellar defensive effort as he held the Mainers to just three hits and walked just two over seven scoreless innings. Lavoie was stellar in his season opening start as he went six one-run innings- not earned- and gave up just four hits while striking out three.

Both of these pitchers aren't necessarily strikeout pitchers but they pound the strike zone and induce weak contact. The Mountaineers are the worst hitting team in the league with a .179 average while Sanford is in the upper half with a .238 mark.

Ashbeck also worked out of any jams he ran into as he induced three double plays. The Mainers hit .000 with runners on base as they went 0-for-8 and they got a runner into scoring position against Ashbeck once.

He also shut down Sam Dexter, who is a dangerous player to watch for. Dexter is hitting .458 on the season and leads the league in hits. He has dramatic splits as he's hitting twice as well against leftys, but Vermont's almost entirely right-handed roster won't affect him.

Vermont's Blake Tiberi has been strong as he's the only hitter who's managed to somewhat hit the ball well. Tiberi's hitting .316 through the first six games and has played both first and third. He's tied for the Mountaineers league lead with two RBIs and will most likely get the start at first with Ashbeck on the mound.

Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. at Recreation Field. The Mountaineers have an interesting promotion where dad's get in free for Father's Day!