Game 22 Recap: Mountaineers 10, Blue Sox 2

Mikael Mogues (left) and Keegan Meyn combined to lead a 10-run Mountaineers attack.

The Mountaineers entered Friday night’s five-game homestand opener looking for their sixth straight win at Recreation Field, and once again, they left little doubt. Aided by sloppy defense from the visiting Valley Blue Sox, Vermont exploded for five runs in the sixth and cruised to an 8-1 victory.

Keegan Meyn homered and scored three runs, Mikael Mogues drove in three runs, and TJ Santiago threw five solid innings in the win. Over the six-game home winning streak, Vermont’s outscored their opponents 55-17, building momentum as they reach the numerical midway point of the season.

“It’s a good win all the way around, and something we can hopefully build on with four more home games," Vermont manager Joe Brown said. "This is an advantage to play here in our crowd, especially with the ‘dog days of summer,’ to have these fans cheering for you.”

Hitting sixth in the Vermont lineup, Meyn has easily been the hottest hitter on the team for the last two-plus weeks. He drew a walk in the second and scored all the way from first on a fielding error in left for Vermont’s second run, then tacked on an insurance run in the sixth with a leadoff home run to the parking lot.

In his last six games, Meyn is hitting .421 (8-for-18). One of just three Mountaineers during that span to hit over .300, Meyn has provided a much-needed boost in the lineup for Vermont. He’s also been incredibly patient, drawing a pair of walks to run his total to 19 over 18 games started.

"It’s really just been a lot of at bats,"Meyn said of his recent success. "I’ve been working on some stuff and adding to my routine, and it’s just really clicking for me right now."

Brown offered another explanation, saying this happens with many players.

"He’s a perfect example of the summer league," Brown said. "You just have to hang in there. You’re frustrated early, haven’t played in a while, but then you get going. Doing what he’s doing now -- you’re so happy for the kid."

Mogues continued to have incredible success in the spacious confines of Recreation Field, driving in three runs with a pair of hits. He drove in the games first run with a double in the opening frame, then came up big again during the five-run sixth. Valley turned to left-hander Anthony Romanelli with the bases loaded and two outs, and Mogues greeted him by lining a two-run single into right field to run his season RBI total to 16.

"The bats came alive, and hitting's contagious," Mogues said. "We always play well at home, so this home stretch is crucial for us going into the all-star break. If we have a great week, we’re in the hunt for first or second. We’ll see where it takes us."

Santiago threw five innings in his second-longest start of the summer, the lone blip a leadoff home run surrendered to Valley centerfielder Brodie Leftridge in the second. Leftridge’s home run was the only baserunner he allowed in the first three frames, retiring nine of 10.

He scattered four hits and a walk over five innings, eventually leaving after giving up a leadoff single in the sixth. Santiago struck out five in the win, his first in four starts despite being one of the more reliable options in the Mountaineers rotation.

Vermont’s Mike Osinski added a RBI infield single in the fifth. Two more runs for the Mountaineers came against Blue Sox reliever Shane Ennis, who's wild pitch brought in a run from third in the sixth. Mogues scored from first on the play, as a throw down to get him at third sailed into left field.

It was convincing win for Vermont. Valley got a run back against reliever Michael Fairchild in the eighth as Derek Bauer had a RBI single up the middle, but the Mountaineers limited further damage as Joe Tietjen threw out a runner at third. Fairchild and Joe Jacques each threw two innings of relief in the win.

"We’re trying to set up our pitching, and I thought it was a great start from TJ," Brown said. "I think he benefitted from a great rest and gave us a great start into the sixth inning. I thought Joe Jacques threw well out of the bullpen, and Michael Fairchild hadn’t thrown in a bit so he needed to get out there."

Turning a 2-11 start into a 8-14 mark at the midway point of the NECBL season is nothing to ignore. The fact that the Mountaineers have won six straight at home is a strong point in the favor of a major turnaround. Additionally, Vermont hasn’t played themselves out of a playoff spot. A crowded Northern Division is separated by just 5 1/2 games between first place Keene and the Mountaineers. The fourth spot in the postseason is only three games away.

You can’t instantly become a contender, but thanks to Vermont’s recent 6-3 surge, you can start thinking more positive about their chances moving forward. After all, 21 games in 24 days awaits, and it’s anybody’s division.

The Mountaineers host divisional foe Winnipesaukee tonight at 6:30 p.m.