Down 4-1 in the seventh, the Mainers would get an RBI single from Nelson Mompierre, followed by a big two-run double from Todd Czinege to tie the score.
“In the first four or five innings we had runners on base, we just didn’t get the extra hit. I kept telling them that all it would take is one hit and that hit sparked us,” said Sanford coach Chris Morris.
Sanford would then take the lead later in the inning when a run was walked across the plate which would be enough to secure the win.
Morris was proud of the way his team responded and grinded out a tough win.
“We’ve been talking about how we have been putting ourselves in great positions to win ball games and we knew if we stayed positive great things would happen. We have some great kids in the dugout, a lot of talent and that is what baseball is all about,” said Morris.
Scarborough native Ben Wessel got the start for Sanford, pitching five innings and allowing four runs on six hits while striking out four.
“I didn’t have my best stuff today, I was just out there battling and doing the best I could and trying to keep the game manageable,” said Wessel. “There’s a faith in our lineup that something will happen, so it’s good to have guys there to pick you up when you don’t have your best stuff.”
The Sanford bullpen also came up big in the win. Relief pitchers Joe Orlando, Blaise Whitman and Troy Miller allowed no runs and no hits while striking out a combined seven batters in the final four innings.
“Phenomenal, we’ve been telling our pitching staff and bullpen all year long that you need to come in and throw strikes. We have a great defense behind them and (the pitchers) are catching on to that. We have a lot of good arms and we’re excited about that,” said Morris.
Morris is excited with the progress that his squad has made through the first 11 games of the summer.
“I’m thrilled with where we’re at, the guys know that summer ball is a process and they have been coming to the ball park everyday and working hard to win games. It’s going to be about staying healthy and having fun,” said Morris.
Wessel also feels that the Mainers are starting to settle in, and hopes that Tuesday’s big win gives Sanford momentum moving forward.
“It’s good to see things come together, we got a couple of big hits, we got people on base and gave us opportunities to score. Hopefully we can keep things rolling,” said Wessel. “We’re starting to build chemistry every game, guys are starting to feel comfortable at the field and at this ballpark, so hopefully this will start a win streak and we can get some momentum.”
Sanford’s first run came in the first inning on an RBI single from Czinege. Valley would score two runs in the second off a two-run homer from Cameron O’Neil and two more in the fourth on an RBI double from Kyle Mottice and an RBI from David Leiderman.
The Mainers (6-5) will visit Plymouth tonight.
— Sports Staff Writer Alex Sponseller can be reached at sports@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @ JournalTsports.
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