Postgame Journal: Just hang on! Navs top Sanford for series win, advance to East Division Finals

LYNN, Massachusetts (Wednesday, August 4, 2010) – The North Shore Navigators finally got the better 0f the Sanford Mainers as a 7-6 win on Wednesday night at Fraser Field gave the Navs a 2-1 series win in the East Division Semifinals, derailing the self-proclaimed “Maine Train.”

The Navigators advance to face the Newport Gulls in the NECBL East Division Finals. The first game is Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. at Cardines Field, while the teams return to Lynn for game two at 6:15 on Friday night.

The Navs took an early lead in the first inning thanks to third baseman Anthony Melchionda (Boston College) and his three-run home run just inside the left field foul pole. Left fielder Jason Banos (Columbia) doubled the lead to 2-0 on an RBI single to center field, bringing home designated hitter Jack Mayfield (Oklahoma).

Sanford responded in the third when left fielder Mike McCann (Manhattan) singled into right field to bring home second baseman Joe Wendle (West Chester) to make the score 2-1.

It was not until the bottom of the sixth when North Shore extended their lead to 3-1 as right fielder Dario Pizzano (Columbia) doubled to left-center field, scoring catcher Bryce Tafelski (UCSB).

The Mainers put three runs up in the seventh inning on three hits, finally solving Navs starter Daniel Patrick (Pepperdine) for more than little damage and forcing him out of the game with one out. Right fielder Pat Cantwell (Stony Brook) singled to right field for the first run, while Wendle’s 4-3 groundout for the second out drove in the third run. Cantwell came in to score on a wild pitch by Navs reliever Dan Duval (RPI).

The Navs came back in the eighth for two runs, adding back the cushion they built earlier in the contest. Pizzano doubled into left-center field with one out, while first baseman Ben Waldrip (Cypress), who singled, scored on a passed ball by Sanford’s Doug Elliot (Connecticut).

Sanford came back with a two-run home run to right field by third baseman Michael Roth (South Carolina) in the ninth against Bryant Gauthier (Southern New Hampshire), but he sealed the deal with a soft grounder to second for the series-clinching out.

Patrick earned the win, his first of the playoffs, by pitching 6.1 innings of six-hit, four-run ball, while walking two and fanning just as many. Gauthier earned the save, despite the two-run homer.

Mainers starter Michael Augliera (Binghamton) took the loss as he pitched just 5.2 innings and allowing seven hits and five runs for his first defeat.

Don’t worry Navs fans, the “Maine Train” is out of the path to the championship. One down and two to go…Onward to Newport!

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On the other side of the league, the North Adams SteepleCats and Danbury Westerners will vie for the West Division championship as they captured two games in their series against Keene and Bristol, respectively. The first game of the series takes place at 7:30 on Thursday.

KCT Baseball Game Preview: East Playoffs Game 3, Sanford at North Shore

Tonight the North Shore Navigators face the Sanford Mainers in the deciding third game of the best-of-three East Division semifinal series at Fraser Field. This current series is tied at 1-1, while the Mainers took the season series this season, 5-1. The Mainers ousted the Navigators from the playoffs in three games during last year’s opening round.

The Navs finished the season at 25-17, good for second place in the Eastern Division, two games behind top seed Newport. The Mainers finished at 23-19 and two games behind the Navs in third place.

Daniel Patrick (3-1/Pepperdine) will be the starter for the Navs, while Michael Augliera (4-2/Binghamton) makes the start for the Mainers. Augliera picked up a win over North Shore on July 27, while Patrick earned a no-decision in the Navs’ only regular season win against Sanford on June 28.

Get a quick lodown of everything you need to know for this rivalry series with this quick playoff preview audio podcast.

Top seed Newport ousted #4 Laconia in a two-game sweep in the first series of the 2010 NECBL Playoffs. The Gulls won by 7-2 and 3-0 scores to advance to face either the Navs or Mainers in the East Division Finals. The Western Division series have also both gone to deciding game threes. Check out more in Today in the NECBL.

Postgame Journal: All they need was one…

The Navigators opened their East Division playoff series with a win over rival Sanford.

LYNN, Massachusetts (Monday, August 2, 2010) – The North Shore Navigators did not put forth the most exciting performance in the opening game of their first round playoff series against the Sanford Mainers as one hit and a masterful pitching performance was all they needed in a 1-0 win on Tuesday that was played in a lightning-fast one hour and 21 minutes.

The Navs found a way to break through against their arch nemesis, a team they could only beat once in six tries during the regular season, ironically on the road at Goodall Park on June 28.

All the action came on the second pitch to the first batter of the bottom of the first inning when center fielder Braxton Graven (Bellarmine) hit a triple into the right field gap. He scored from third on an infield groundout by shortstop Cody Dent (Florida). Davis did not allow another hit the rest of the way as catcher Bryce Tafelski  (UCSB) was the only other Navs player to reach base via a sixth-inning walk.

Navs starter Crayton Bare (Baylor) delivered an outstanding performance, allowing just five hits and striking out five over the complete-game effort in which he threw 88 pitches.

Davis threw just 78 pitches over his eight innings, allowing a mere hit and a walk.

The Mainers now face a must-win scenario in the second game of the best-of-three series on Tuesday night at Goodall Park. Game time is 6:35 p.m.

KCT Baseball Game Preview: East Playoffs Game 1, Sanford at North Shore

Tonight the North Shore Navigators open their quest for the Fay Vincent Sr. Cup against the Sanford Mainers in the opening game of the best-of-three East Division semifinal series at Fraser Field. The Mainers ousted the Navigators from the playoffs in three games last year and took the season series this season, 5-1.

The Navs finished the season at 25-17, good for second place in the Eastern Division, two games behind top seed Newport. The Mainers finished at 23-19 and two games behind the Navs in third place.

Crayton Bare (3-1/Baylor) will be the starter for the Navs, while Shane Davis (2-3/Canisius) makes the start for the Mainers. Bare represented North Shore in the 2010 NECBL All-Star Game on July 18 and now ranks ninth in the NECBL in pitching.

Get a quick lodown of everything you need to know for this rivalry series with this quick playoff preview audio podcast.

Navigators earn home-field advantage, host rival Sanford in divisional playoffs

The North Shore Navigators earned home field advantage in the quarterfinal round of the 2010 NECBL Playoffs. The #2 seed Navs will host their archrivals, the Sanford Mainers in the opening game of the best-of-three series beginning Monday at 6:15 p.m.

EAST DIVISION

#4 Laconia vs. #1 Newport
8/2/10 at Newport 6:35 PM
8/3/10 at Laconia 7:00 PM
8/4/10 if necessary at Newport 6:35 PM

#3 Sanford vs. #2 North Shore
8/2/10 at North Shore 6:15 PM
8/3/10 at Sanford 6:30 PM
8/4/10 if necessary at North Shore 6:15 PM

WEST DIVISION

#4 Keene vs. #1 North Adams
8/2/10 at North Adams 6:30 PM
8/3/10 at Keene 7:00 PM
8/4/10 if necessary at North Adams 6:30 PM

#3 Bristol vs. #2 Danbury
8/2/10 at Danbury 6:30 PM
8/3/10 at Bristol 7:00 PM
8/4/10 if necessary at Danbury 6:30 PM

Postgame Journal: Playoffs on the horizon, but Navs making road bumpy with loss to Mainers

With the win, Sanford moves just a half-game behind Newport and the Navigators for first place in the East.

LYNN, Massachusetts (Tuesday, July 27, 2010) – In one of the most crucial games of the season, the North Shore Navigators decided to turn off the offense as they fell to the Sanford Mainers, 5-1, at Fraser Field on Tuesday night.

With the win, Sanford moves just a half-game behind Newport and the Navigators for first place in the East. The Gulls and Navs are in a virtual tie for first place in the East Division after the day’s action.

Sanford took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when left fielder Mike McCann (Manhattan) hit an RBI single into left-center field to score right fielder Pat Cantwell (Stony Brook). Cantwell, the leadoff hitter, reached base on a strikeout as Navs catcher Garrett Smith (Boston College) allowed a passed ball to the backstop to gain two free bases.

The Navs quickly responded for their only score of the game in the bottom of the second. First baseman Ben Waldrip (Cypress) singled through the right side and later scored when center fielder Braxton Graven (Bellarmine) hit an RBI base knock to short right field.

The Mainers made the deficit too deep for North Shore as they tacked on three runs in the top of the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and nobody out, catcher Doug Elliot (Connecticut) drove home two runs on a double down the left field line. Elliot was later caught between second and third base in a rundown between the infielders.

Before the third out was recorded, a groundout by center fielder Matt Marra (LeMoyne), McCann scored the third run of the frame, making it 4-1.

In the seventh, the Mainers closed the scorebook with one final run for good measure. McCann scored again on an RBI single by third baseman Anthony Gomez (Vanderbilt) that was hit to shallow left-center field. He was also caught stealing for the second out of the inning to help kill a chance for added insurance.

It was not needed as Alex Caravella (Pittsburgh) was outstanding in three innings, allowing just a run for his first save of the summer. Starter Michael Augliera (Binghamton) allowed just six hits and a run over six innings, while walking three and fanning four to record his fourth win in six decisions.

Navs starter Crayton Bare (Baylor) took his first loss of the summer season as he had a rough go on this night. The 2010 NECBL All-Star and Bears lefty walked three and struck out three over six innings as he allowed six hits and four runs (three earned).

The Navs continue the five-game homestand against New Bedford on Wednesday, while Sanford hosts a streaking Lowell team at Goodall Park.

KCT Baseball Game Preview: Sanford at North Shore

Tonight we travel down to Fraser Field where the North Shore Navigators take on their North Division archrival Sanford Mainers in the opener of a five-game homestand to close the season.

The Navs lead the Eastern Division by one-half game over Newport with a 22-15 record, while the Mainers are 1.5 games back at 21-17, which is very much in contention for a top seed in next week’s playoffs.

Crayton Bare (3-0/Baylor) will be the starter for the Navs, while Michael Augliera makes the start for the Mainers. Bare represented North Shore in the 2010 NECBL All-Star Game on July 18 and now ranks third in the NECBL in pitching.

Get a quick lodown of everything you need to know for the game with this quick audio podcast.

Postgame Journal: Clenching fists and biting nails, Navs can’t mount a rally

Michael Roth was 3-for-3 in the Mainers' 2-1 win over the Navigators.

LYNN, Massachusetts (Wednesday, July 21, 2010) – Despite loading the bases in the eighth and ninth innings, the North Shore Navigators could not come up with enough as the Sanford Mainers squeaked out of Fraser Field with a 2-1 win on Wednesday night.

The North division-leading Navigators fall to 20-13, while the Mainers improve to 20-14. North Shore now dips behind North Adams for the top record in the league.

Sanford jumped out to the 1-0 lead in the fourth inning off of Navs lefty Kevin Kyle (Clemson). First baseman Michael Roth (South Carolina) delivered with a one-out RBI single to right field to plate left fielder Mike McCann (Manhattan) for the first run of the ballgame.

In the sixth, the Navs tied the game at 1-1 on one swing of the bat. Center fielder Braxton Graven (Bellarmine) unloaded on a 1-0 pitch and deposited to deep right (2) off of Mainers starter Shane Davis (Canisius).

Roth drove in the eventual game-winning RBI on a solo home run to almost the exact spot (2) with one out in the eighth to give the Mainers a 2-1 lead that they would never look back upon.

Davis improved to 2-3 with the win as he allowed a mere three hits and an earned run over 7.2 innings, while fanning five Navigators. Eric Ruth (Winthrop) earned a four-out save, his sixth, while allowing just one hit and a walk.

Kyle allowed five hits and a run over five innings for no-decision as Hunter Gordon (Boston College) took the loss. He pitched one inning and allowed two hits and a run to fall to 0-3.

The Navs return to Fraser on Thursday night for a 6:15 date with the Laconia Muskrats, while the Mainers make the long trek to Danbury.

KCT Baseball Game Preview: Sanford at North Shore

Tonight we travel down to Fraser Field where the North Shore Navigators take on their North Division archrival Sanford Mainers in the middle game of a three-game homestand.

Kevin Kyle (0-1/Clemson) will be the starter for the Navs, while Shane Davis (1-3/Canisius) makes the start for the Mainers. The Navs come into the game with an NECBL-best 20-12 record, tops by one game over Newport and 1.5 games over Sanford in the East Division. Sanford is in third place at 19-14.

Get a quick lodown of everything you need to know for the game with this quick audio podcast.

KCT Baseball Game Preview: Super Saturday

For the first time in KCT Baseball history, we will cover three games in one day on Saturday!

In our first stop, we will be live from the press box at Fenway Park for the fifth annual “Futures at Fenway” doubleheader. While the Red Sox are in Toronto, the Lowell Spinners and Salem Red Sox will take part in the games.

The Spinners will take on the Jamestown Jammers (Marlins) in the opening game of the twinbill at noon. 2009 draft pick Madison Younginer (2-2) will make the start for Lowell, while Saul Gonzalez (0-1) takes the ball for Jamestown.

Lowell beat Jamestown on Friday night, 9-3, at LeLacheur Park. The Spinners are 6-15, last place in the Stedler Division, while the Jammers stand in first place in the Pickney Division at 12-9.

In the nightcap, the Salem Red Sox will face the Potomac Nationals in Carolina League action. 2007 third round draft pick Brock Huntzinger (6-4) will go for first-year manager Kevin Boles, while fifth-year National Brad Peacock (3-9) starts for Potomac.

Salem was topped by Kinston (Indians) last night, 9-0 and fell to 49-37 and 7-9 in the second half. The Sox are second in the Southern Division. Potomac is 39-46 and 8-7 in the half after a 3-2 win against Frederick (Orioles) last night.

Later, we will be back at Fraser Field, where the North Shore Navigators will face the Sanford Mainers in a battle of the East Division’s top teams. The Navs sit at 16-10, while the Mainers 16-11.

Jack Mayfield (0-0/Oklahoma) is set for the start for the Navigators, while Michael Augliera (3-0/Binghamton) will go for Sanford.

The Navs have been off since Thursday when they topped Lowell, 9-3, while Sanford topped Holyoke by an 8-0 score yesterday.

Get a quick lodown of everything you need to know for the games with this quick audio podcast.