Sanford Mainers secure their 3rd NECBL title
SANFORD — For the third time in their 25-year history, the Sanford Mainers are New England Collegiate Baseball League champions.
The Mainers cruised to a 12-5 win over the Danbury Westerners in Game 3 of the NECBL championship series Wednesday night in front of a crowd of 916 at Goodall Park. Sanford won the best-of-three series 2-1.
It’s Sanford’s third title since the team’s founding in 2002. The Mainers previously won in 2004 and 2008 and have reached the league finals in two of the last three seasons.
“It’s the greatest feeling ever,” said Mainers head coach Nic Lops. “It’s great to see the fruits of the labor pay off. I couldn’t be prouder of this group. Players win championships, and that’s what my players did tonight.”
Designated hitter Will Cowan was 3 for 4 with two RBI, and second baseman Jacob Harring was 2 for 5 with two RBI. Andrew Middleton earned the win on the mound, striking out six in five innings. Bradley native and University of Southern Maine left-hander Gabe Gifford tossed four innings of hitless relief, striking out five.
“I knew I was going to be the first one out (of the bullpen), but didn’t know for how long,” Gifford said. “But in this atmosphere, adrenaline just takes over. I was just ready to go.”
Holding a 6-5 lead, Sanford scored six runs in the seventh inning, taking advantage of four errors. Harring had a two-run single to center field.
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Dave Dyer is in his second stint with the Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel. Dave was previously with the company from 2012-2015 and returned in late 2016. He spent most of 2016 doing freelance sports. More by Dave Dyer
