Dukes Drop Home Opener to Hot Hitting Swamp Bats
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (Saturday June 9, 2007) – The Pittsfield Dukes
played in front of their largest home opener crowd ever, but fan
support was not enough as the Keene Swamp Bats slugged out 17 hits
to drop the Dukes 13-3 at Wahconah Park.
In game that looked to be another tight-locked battle in the always
competitive NECBL, the Dukes found themselves trailing 3-0 as they
headed to bat in the bottom of the fifth. The Dukes, who did not
have a base hit leave the infield, were able to bunch base runners
in the frame and score three runs, all with two outs.
A one out walk from Adam Tempesta (UMass) was followed by a two out
free pass to Jim MacDonald (UMass) set the table Alex Hassan (Duke
University). Hassan hit a ball that deflected off of Swamp Bats
starter Alan Morrison (Kent State) to load the bases full of Dukes.
Phil Cerretto (Longwood University) followed with an infield hit of
his own, plating the Dukes first run of the game. Chester Wilson
(Southern Utah University) hit a dribbler that could not be fielded
cleanly by Morrison allowing a second run to score. Finally a bases
loaded walk to Jeff Rustico (American International College) knotted
the game at 3-3.
The inning ended on a Matt Howard (University of Maine) strikeout,
and this would be the last time the Dukes threatened. Mike Belfiore
(Boston College) who relieved Duke’s starter Charly Bashara with two
out in the fifth, surrendered two runs on one hit and an error in
the sixth.
The hit parade began for the Swamp Bats in the seventh as they
plated five more runs on four hits and another Dukes error.
Following that with five straight singles to start the eighth, where
Keene tallied two more runs. Matt den Dekker (University of Florida)
led of the ninth with his third hit of the game scored the games
final run on a Ryan Wooley (University of Georgia) single to right
field.
The Dukes (0-2) will have no time to sit and worry about this loss
as they take to the Wahconah Park diamond Sunday night at 5 p.m.
against the Manchester Silkworms.
It will be Jiminy Peak Alpine Slide and “Big Papi” Vitamin Water
night at the ballpark.
Season tickets for the Dukes are still available now. Tickets can be
purchased online at www.pittsfielddukes.com or by calling (413)
447-DUKE.
The Dukes appreciate your support. GO DUKES!!!
