NEWS

After finishing with a 15–28 record and in last place in the north division in 2023, the Keene SwampBats are off to an impressive 17–9 start to the 2024 season. The Swamp Bats trail only the Vermont Mountaineers (17-8) in the overall standings. Within their strong start to the season, there has been one constant within the lineup.

 

No matter the opponent, the ballpark, or who’s on the mound, the Keene SwampBats boast a potent threat day-in and out, the home run. The SwampBats lead the NECBL in home runs in 2024 with 34, five more than the next team in Mystic, as three players have hit five or more so far this season.

 

Manager Shaun McKenna, pleased with how his team has performed to this point, explained how playing at a smaller park pales in comparison to the team’s strength at the dish, both at home and on the road.

 

“It’s no secret that we play at a smaller park, but you still have to barrel balls,” McKenna said. “We’re happy so far and this season has gone quite well for us.”

 

Within Keene’s dangerous lineup is the strong outfield duo of Joe Jaconski (Penn State) and Ripken Reese (Kent State). McKenna held high praises for the duo and how they approach the game every day.

 

“Joe is an electric player, he can run and swing it for sure,” McKenna said. “Although he’s only been in the outfield, he can play the infield for sure. Reese can play anywhere, he’s caught, played first, second and third base, left and right field. He’s a switch hitter too and they’re both very talented kids for sure.”

 

At the top of the order, the duo have posted impressive stat lines in the first half of the season. In 24 games played, Jaconski is fourth on the team in batting average at .337, not far behind Jake Koonin (Princeton), who leads the team with a .400 batting average and seven home runs. On top of his strong average at the plate, Jaconski has hit five home runs, driven in 21 runs to lead the team and has 17 walks to cap it off.

 

As for Reese, the utility player is batting .291, hitting six home runs and has driven in 15 runs. As a switch-hitter, Reese has played in 23 of Keene’s 26 games this season and Jaconski has played in all but two.

 

As the SwampBats are 26 games into the season and we pass the halfway point in 2024, McKenna emphasized the importance of using the team’s power to their advantage in winning ball games.

 

“The home run can change the dynamic of any game and every time we play we’ve got guys who have the ability to run into some balls and hit several home runs,” McKenna said. “It definitely helps, we want to hit as it’s not just the home runs, we want gap-to-gap guys. We’re going to keep competing every day and that’s the best part about it.”

 

As the season rolls through July, look out for Jaconski and Reese as they could find themselves in the 2024 All Star Game at Muzzy Field in Bristol. It’s up to you as fans to send players like Jaconski, Reese and Koonin to the All Star Game! The 2024 fan-vote is now open, so cast your ballots today!

 

As for the postseason, the SwampBats currently sit in the top wild card spot, but are within a game of surpassing the Mountaineers for the top overall seed in the NECBL. Will the SwampBats be able to power themselves to the NECBL’s best overall record? Tune in to find out!

The New England Collegiate Baseball League is a wooden bat college summer league that fields teams in all six New England states. Partially funded by Major League Baseball, the New England League started play in 1994 and has sent over 230 alumni to the Major Leagues with nearly 30 alumni taken in the first round of the MLB Draft. For continuing coverage of the NECBL, visit NECBL.com and follow the league on Twitter, Instagram and on Facebook.