Nighthawks beat Mainers in an 11 inning Thriller
SANFORD, ME - The Upper Valley Nighthawks defeated the Sanford Mainers with a score of 7-5 in eleven innings. This was the last of a three-game road-stretch, the Nighthawks finished this stretch with a record of 2-1.
Upper Valley's finest bats were connecting right away. Adarius Myers led his team out of the gate with a lead-off single, shortly after Kevin Bruggeman drove Myers in for the games first run.
The game seemed to be a back and forth low-scoring affair. No one in Goodall Park was ready for the game that unveiled itself late into the eighth inning. The score was 4-2 in the bottom of the eight when Sanford's bats started to get in rhythm.
Devan Bade's double brought the Mainers within a score of a tie-game. And after a hit-by-pitch and a sac-bunt, the bases were loaded with only one out. At this time Zach Rodgers entered the game replacing Luis Misla, and Rodgers pitched a perfect inning to get out of trouble. "Zach Rodgers threw his tail off." Nighthawks pitching coach Chad Sturgeon said.
After the final out in the eighth the Nighthawks bench was cleared as they cheered their pitcher on. Chris Worcester said that the energy in the dugout is exactly what the team needed, "When you're going eleven innings you need guys that just want to win." Worcester said.
In the bottom of the ninth the Mainers needed a run to stay alive and that's exactly what they got from Jeremiah Jenkins. Goodall Park exploded in cheers and all momentum was given to the Sanford Mainers.
In the eleventh inning Bruggeman's sac-bunt scored a runner, but an overthrow by the out fielder allowed Bruggeman to make it all the way to third base. "I looked to make sure the runner was getting over and the next thing I know I saw the second basemen diving," Bruggeman said, "I was super tired after second base but I had to give my team another chance to score."
Jordan Goldmann pitched a lights-out eleventh inning which ended the Mainer comeback attempt. "Jordan was going off short breath but still closed it out, he did a phenomenal job." Sturgeon said.
The Upper Valley Nighthawks will host their season opener against the Vermont Mountaineers at 6:00 PM.
