SwampBats Blanked by Bristol 3-0 in Completion of Suspended Game
Keene Remains One Game Out of Playoff Spot with Four Games Left
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
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0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 7 | 0 |
by Hank Greenberg
BRISTOL, Conn. - The Keene SwampBats (17-21-1) took a drive to Connecticut to face the Bristol Blues (20-19) in what was the second and final matchup between these non-division opponents in the 2026 season, finishing a game that began in late June Thursday afternoon. The Blues came in looking to avoid a sweep in the series, as Keene blew them out 15-2 in game one.
The Blues got to work quickly in the second inning with a Sean Britt single that brought Justin Ruiz home. Jack Balcher went on to double and score Britt. A throwing error by the defense brought Balcher home and gave the Blues a 3-0 lead.
The bats stayed cold for Keene, hitting five singles. Collin Anderson (Duke) hit two while Micah Kendrick (Louisiana Lafayette), Gavin Speirs (Charleston Southern), and Avery Smith (Penn State) each had one.
Tyler Borton (Florida Atlantic) made his second appearance, in 2.1 innings of work he struck out two batters and gave up three runs. Tyler Longoria (St John's) came on in relief, dishing out six strikeouts and three hits in 3.2 innings of work. Joe Olson (Louisville) was called on next, finishing with one strikeout.
The Blues saw Justin Silverstein take the mound, in eight innings of shutout work he struck out thirteen batters while only giving up three hits. Thomas Galusha threw the ninth inning and shut down the Bats', finishing with two strikeouts.
Keene struck out 15 times in the game, and missed a huge opportunity to get back in the game in the seventh when they could not score with the bases loaded and one out. The Bats fell to 2-13 in their last 15 games, and have played their way from a division contender to tenth place in the NECBL, trailing eighth-place North Shore (18-20) by a game for the final playoff spot and now ninth-place Valley (16-18-1) by percentage points.
Keene, after not playing at Alumni Field since the 16th and not winning a gme since then, will return to their home ballpark for a doubleheader against the Vermont Mountaineers for the final two games between these division rivals. Game one is set to begin at 4:30, with game two beginning soon after the last out is recorded. Keene has lost three straight against Vermont, who is a half game behind them in the standings.