Keene Dropped by Vermont in Damaging Loss, 9-1

by Hank Greenberg

MONTPELIER, Vt. - The Keene SwampBats (17-20-1) traveled back up to Vermont for a matchup with the Mountaineers (17-21).  Still fighting for a spot in the 2026 NECBL playoffs, the Bats' went into this game after a close 4-3 loss. Vermont, having four consecutive wins and two days of rest under their belt, looked to secure at least a split in the head-to-head series.

Jackson Smith (Cincinnati) scored on a wild pitch in the third inning for the first run of the game, giving the SwampBats a 1-0 lead.

The Mountaineers tied the game in the fifth inning after Elliot Miles reached first safely on a fielder's choice which brought Sam Winsett across home plate. Alex Benevento then singled to left field with a man at third base, giving Vermont a 2-1 lead.

Vermont added more insurance in the seventh. Benevento reached on an error, allowing Sebastian Collender to score. A sacrifice groundout by Matthew Minkler brought a man home. A pair of singles by Charlie Niehaus and Aidan Botti extended the lead.

More insurance was added in the ninth inning. Benevento singled and advanced to second, moving Miles to third before he made it home on the throw. Vincent Davis singled, bringing Benevento home and making it a 9-1 game.

In his sixth appearance of the season, Aiden O'Connell (Duke) went for 4.2 innings with four strikeouts and allowed two runs. In his SwampBats debut, Sean Bartlett (Gardner Webb) finished with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings of work. Brady Stephens (Mars Hill) and Sebastian Graham (Eckerd) combined for two innings, giving up five runs.

Dominic DeLoreto took the mound for the Mountaineers; in four innings of work he gave up one run, made one error, and struck out seven batters. Nolan Urian was brought out in relief; he pitched two scoreless innings with a strikeout. Jackson Hulcher came in for the final three innings and shut down the SwampBats, finishing with five strikeouts and giving up zero runs.

The SwampBats are back on the road tomorrow to finish a previously suspended game against the Bristol Blues. The game will continue from the bottom of the fourth inning at noon, with Bristol holding a 3-0 lead. The Bats will then make a return to Alumni Field on Friday where they will play the Mountaineers again in doubleheader action.

It has been a rough two-plus weeks for Keene, who was a half game behind first-place Sanford and the No. 3 seed overall in the NECBL as recently as July 6.  Since, they have lost 12 of 14 games, moved three games under .500 after being seven above, and are currently in ninth place and a game behind the final playoff spot with six games - including tomorrow's resumption - to go.