SwampBats Fall for the First Time in 320 Days

HARTFORD, Vt. – Just two days after battling to a draw in New Hampshire, the Keene SwampBats hit the road Thursday evening for a rematch against the Upper Valley Nighthawks at Maxfield Sports Complex. The contest marked the second meeting of the season between these rivals. Playing in front of their home crowd, the Nighthawks aimed to build momentum after a home 12-4 loss to Sanford, while the SwampBats looked to turn their win against North Shore into a strong road show.

This matchup proved significant, as it marked the end of a remarkable SwampBats undefeated streak that had stretched back to late July of last season. The streak carried through the remainder of the regular season and continued throughout the playoffs, helping propel the SwampBats to an NECBL championship.

Griffin Enis (University of Virginia) opened the game's scoring in the bottom of the second inning, giving the SwampBats an early advantage. After Eli Stephens (Georgia Tech) reached base on a walk, Enis came through with a two-out RBI single off Mateo Wells (High Point University). The base hit brought Stephens home from second and put the SwampBats on the board with the game's first run.

The Nighthawks wasted little time responding to the SwampBats' early breakthrough. In the top half of the third inning, Upper Valley's Charley Magoulick (Rider University) drove a double into the gap off Keene's Ryan Bailey (University of Pittsburgh) that brought home two runners and quickly erased Keene's advantage. With the offense beginning to click, the Nighthawks continued to apply pressure on Bailey and the SwampBats' defense. 

The Nighthawks added insurance, as Tim Dickinson (Saint Joseph's University) ripped a two-run double into left field, extending the advantage. This rally was capped off by Brooks Craigue (Middle Tennessee State University), who lined an RBI single to bring home another run. By the time the inning came to a close, the Nighthawks had turned a one-run deficit into a comfortable lead, scoring five unanswered runs.

The SwampBats slightly chipped away at the deficit in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a timely swing from Stephens. With Micah Kendrick (Kansas State) aboard and the offense looking to answer back, Stephens lined a sharp single through the left side of the infield.

Looking to keep the game within reach, the SwampBats turned to Parker Lind (Kent State University) in the fourth inning, and the right-hander delivered a dominant relief performance. Lind immediately settled into a rhythm, retiring hitters efficiently and preventing the Nighthawks from building on their lead.

Charlie Jones (High Point University) closed out the game for the Nighthawks, throwing two perfect innings and striking out three to shut down the Swampbats.

The Swampbats will look to bounce back as they travel to Goodall Park tomorrow evening to take on the Sanford Mainers, first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm.