WALPOLE, NH - The Ludlow Athletics notched their first win of the season against host Walpole Wild Blue on Sunday. Both starting pitchers struggled to find the zone. Ludlows starter, Nick Sheehan, put a lot of runners on base, but didn't give up a hit in his 2-2/3 innings.
Ludlow opened the game with five runs in the first as each of the first five batters crossed the plate. They then added a run in the 2nd on three hits by the top of the order making the score 6-0. Â
Walpole plated a run in the bottom half of the 2nd, then another two in the third cutting Ludlow's lead to 6-3. But in the top of the 4th, Ludlow broke the game open by scoring 7 runs on 6 hits.  Jack Durgin (4-for-4, 3 runs) started the inning off with a single, and later Justin Lewis (2 runs, 3 RBIs) and Phil Chimbolo (3 RBIs) each doubled in 2 runs effectively breaking the back of the Wild Blue.
Walpole's Doug Palmer (99) slides past the tag of Ludlow catcher Mark Graves. Photo courtesy Wayne Mac
Ludlow reliever Jamie Gallagher got the victory going 4-1/3, giving up 3 runs (2 earned), four walks, and striking out four. Ludlow's offense hammered seven doubles. Howie Paul (2 doubles, run, 3 RBIs) had a great day, while Zach Smith (3 runs), Nich Sheehan (RBI), and Ray Romero (run) all doubled. For Walpole, Gary Dennis (double, 3 runs), Chris Ballou (3 walks, 2 runs), Adam Kobeski (double, 3 walks, run, 2 RBIs), and Brian Pickering (2 walks, RBI) each had two hits.
Keene 7, Putney 6
DUMMERSTON - A 9th inning rally by the Putney Fossils fell just short and the Keene Black Dawgs remained undefeated with a 7-6 victory on Sunday, April 29.
Putney went up 1-0 in the top of the third inning when Keith Hazard scored on a Josh Coursen (2-for-3, double, run, RBI, 2 SB) RBI double. But Keene answered in a big way in the bottom of the inning. The Black Dawgs loaded the bases with a hit-batsman, a walk, and an outfield error. Then first baseman John Luopa (2-for-4, double, HR, 2 runs, 4 RBIs) hammered a grand-slam over the right field fence to put Keene on top 4-1.
Putney's Greg Narleski rips a double against Keene. Black Dawgs' catcher is Brandon Oldham. (Photo taken by Patricia Stanley)
The Fossils re-took the lead scoring four runs in the 6th sparked by an RBI double by Greg Narleski (2-for-4, double, run, RBI) and a 2-run single by Richard Bissell (2-for-4, double, SB, 3 RBIs). Things looked good for Putney until defensive troubles undid them in Keene's 3-run 8th. The Fossils scored one in the 9th and had two on with one out, but the game ended on a bizarre infield fly rule, tag-out double play.
Tim Santaw got the complete game victory for the Black Dawgs. In addition to Luopa, Santaw got good offensive support from Seth McClean who went 3-for-4 with a double. Right fielder Andrew Bedard made three great catches, including a diving grab of a line drive that looked like a sure basehit. Bissell took the tough loss for Putney, going the distance on the mound allowing only 3 earned runs on 9 hits and 1 walk while striking out eight. Fossils catcher Steve Stanley went 3-for-3, scoring twice and swiping two bases.
Chester 5, Brattleboro 1
CHESTER - Three Chester Pirates pitchers combined to no-hit the Brattleboro River Rats and take home a 5-1 victory on Sunday. Jamie Spence got the win going five innings and fanning 12. He was followed by Nick Wirkkala (3 IP, 6 K) and Doug Roberts who pitched the 9th. Spence helped his own cause at the plate going 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Wirkkala, playing in the outfield, saved the no-no with an outstanding diving catch in the 9th inning.
Brattleboro starter Greg Elbaum took the loss, but pitched very well against the potent Chester line-up.
Newport 17, Saxtons River 0
SAXTONS RIVER - The Newport Polar Bears' bats exploded and carried them to their first-ever CRVBL victory, a 17-0 mauling of the Saxtons River Pirates. Newport southpaw Scott McNamara dominated on the mound allowing only two hits and four walks while fanning 15 in a complete game effort.
McNamara also led the offensive attack going 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs, and 3 RBIs. Mike Batista (3-for-4, 2 runs), Matt Maxham (2 hits, 2 runs, RBI), Sean Lantas (2 hits, 2 runs, RBI, 4 SB), and Anthony DiPaola (2 hits, run) also had big days at the plate.
This week's schedule features six games. On Friday, Walpole hosts Landmark College at 6:30 PM. On Saturday, Brattleboro visits Landmark College at 11:00 AM in Dummerston. Sunday's games in Dummerston are Ludlow at Brattleboro, 10:00 AM, and Saxtons River at Putney at 1:00 PM, while Walpole takes on Chester at 11:00 at GMUHS and Newport battles Claremont at Barnes Park in Claremont at 11:00.
