Swamped: Bats Blown Out in Newport in Ugly Affair

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Keene SwampBats (17-17-1), coming off a sorely needed home win the night prior, took a trip down to Rhode Island to take on the Newport Gulls (20-13-1) for the second time this season. The Bats' looked to even the non-division series while Newport, coming off a road win, seeked the sweep.  It ultimately ended up being a forgettable night in a 19-2 defeat.

Newport exploded for seven runs in the second inning. The first two off a Peter Mershon single that brought Braxton Tramel across home plate and a Ernie Echevarria bases loaded walk. Gus Gandy then singled into left field, bringing home Ryan Novak on an unearned run. Tristan Salinas then brought in Mershon on a sacrifice fly and Tramel would clear the bases on a double into right center field, opening the gate for Newport just two innings into the game.

The Bats' did get on the board in the next half inning after Micah Kendrick (Louisiana Lafayette) reached first safely on a fielder's choice, Dylan Fitzsimmons (St John's) came in on an unearned run.

The Gulls were not quite done, adding three insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Devan Zirwas brought in Echevarria on a single into left field and Tramel brought in Gandy on a sacrifice fly. Cade Brown was then walked with the bases loaded, giving the Gulls a 10-1 lead going into the sixth inning.

They would add more insurance in the sixth inning after Mershon reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Tramel to come across home plate for the second time.

The Gulls would explode for another five runs in the seventh inning. First off a Gandy home run. Novak then doubled to right center, bringing Zirwas and Tristan Salinas across home plate. Mershon found himself on base again after singling up the middle, bringing home Jaros in the process. Echevarria brought home Novak on a single.

The SwampBats got themselves on the board again off a Charlie Meglio (Rutgers) sacrifice fly that brought Avery Smith (Penn State) home.

The Gulls continued to stack up runs in the eighth inning, Jaros doubled into left center and brought Salinas across home plate. Mershon lined a double down the left field line which scored Jaros and Zirwas, giving them a 19-1 lead. 

It was a tough day for the Bats' pitching staff as they watched six different pitchers take the mound in this one. Jack Davis (UNC Asheville) was given the starting role. He was pulled after less than two innings of work and gave up seven runs with one strikeout. 

Brady Stephens (Mars Hill) was called on in relief, in less than two innings he gave up two runs with one strikeout. Griffin Madden (James Madison) took over and struck out four batters, giving up one run. Anakin Underhill (Sacred Heart) was called on next, in one inning of work he allowed two runs with two strikeouts. Parker Lind (Kent State) pitched one inning with three strikeouts and gave up two runs. Sebastian Graham (Eckerd) pitched the eighth inning, striking out a batter and giving up three runs.

The Gulls pitching began with Victor Frederick, who threw five innings while only giving up one run and a single hit. The first bullpen arm was Kyler Zagar who pitched for two innings and struck out two batters. Parking Jennings pitched the final two innings for Newport, finishing with four strikeouts and giving up one run.

Following a postponement of tomorrow's game, the SwampBats will be on the road for their next four matchups. The first being the Upper Valley Nighthawks, with first pitch scheduled for 5:00 on Sunday evening.