Tuesday August 7, 2012

DANBURY -- It took two days to finish, but when the deciding game of opening round of the NECBL was concluded Monday night the North Adams SteepleCats were eliminated by Danbury, 10-7.

The game was suspended Sunday night due to lightning with the SteepleCats leading 5-4 in the top of the fourth inning. When the game resumed Danbury outscored North Adams 6-2 to take the series two games to 1. The loss eliminates the SteepleCats from the first round of the playoffs for the ninth time in the franchise’s 11 years. The team missed the postseason for the first time in 2011, a year after advancing to the second round for the first time.

Brandon Adkins took the ball for Danbury when the game resumed, relieving Stephen Catalina. Catalina gave up five runs on five hits Sunday afternoon, Adkins was much better Monday. In 31Ž3 innings he didn’t allow a hit and struck out five SteepleCats.

Dan Kolodin pitched for the second straight day for North Adams, going two innings and not allowing a run. Adam Sargent was charged with the loss as Danbury put up five runs against him in the fifth and sixth innings. Only one of the runs was earned however, as the SteepleCats committed two errors in the fifth. North Adams made four errors in the game.

Matt Longfield and Christian MacDonald also made apperances late in the game, with Danbury grabbing one run off of Longfield.

Jake Gronsky had a big game for the Westerners out of

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the leadoff slot. He was 4 for five with four RBI, a home run and three runs scored.

Daniel Spingola contributed two RBI for Danbury, as well.

Adrian English did his best to keep his team’s season alive, going 3 for 4 and driving in three runs. Jeff Roy was 2 for 4 with two RBI. Both English and Roy homered in the contest.

North Adams attempted a late comeback against reliever John Porter in the eighth, grabbing two runs. That would be as close as it would get in the game, however as Danbury brought in its closer to face the top of the SteepleCats order in the ninth.

Jake Stinnett closed the game for the Westerners, retiring Roy, Shane Klemcke and Charlie Law in order.

The SteepleCats finished the season 23-22 and in third place in the Western Division. Danbury will advance to face Keene in the division finals.