Waves Defeat Keene in Rematch
Waves Defeat Keene in Rematch
WAKEFIELD, RI – The Ocean State Waves never surrendered the lead in the second of two matchups against the Keene Swamp Bats, coming out on top 4-2 for their third victory in four days.
A pair of Ocean State runs in the second inning marked the first scores of the game. Khyree Miller continued his stellar week with a double in his first at-bat, and he was rewarded soon after with an RBI knock from Drew Holderbach. Holderbach himself would score soon after when Justin Long returned the favor and batted him in for a 2-0 Waves lead.
The Waves offense remained quiet until the sixth, when Miller once again came up with a big play. In a hit reminiscent of the one he had against the Swamp Bats in Thursday’s matchup, the former Winthrop Eagle went yard to lead off the inning on a moonshot to center field. Ocean State added another score later in the frame when Justin Szestowicki successfully evaded the Keene infield and stole second, buying enough time for Dan Baruch to make his way home from third to home and increasing the advantage to 4-0.
Facing a shutout in the top of the ninth, the Swamp Bats were able to cut the lead in half to keep themselves in the contest. Tony Santa Maria, who also went the distance on Thursday in the first meeting, homered once again on a two-run shot to cut the lead in half. But the Waves held strong, recording the final two outs and getting the deciding punchout from Parker Bard to close the evening.
Inside the Box Score:
Khyree Miller homered for the third time this summer; his third in the last four nights.
Miller, Jake Studley, Dan Baruch and Drew Holderbach had a pair of hits, while Max Johnson and Justin Long each had one.
Baruch doubled on his first hit.
Long recorded an RBI on his lone hit.
The team totaled four stolen bases, with Justin Szestowicki picking up a pair.
Miller and Baruch also swiped a bag.
Jake McCosker picked up his first win as the top arm out of the bullpen, putting together a pair of punchouts in his lone inning of action.
Jacob Kush got the start and struck out five batters in four innings.
Through the first eight innings, Waves pitchers combined for no runs allowed on just four hits.
Up Next:
The Waves close out their home stand against the North Shore Navigators on Tuesday after taking Monday off. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
