The Laconia Muskrats thrilled their largest crowd of the season 3-2 walk-off win against the Sanford Mainers Tuesday night at Robbie Mills Field, which became the regular season finale.
The two teams went to battle to decide the 3 and 4 seeds in the Eastern playoff layout. Had Sanford won, both teams would have needed to make up rained out games with Mystic. But Laconia’s win put Sanford out of reach for good, and the rain outs will not be made up.
The playoff picture in the East is solidified, with Laconia taking the 3 seed and matching with with New Bedford starting Friday. Laconia was 4-4 against New Bedford this year, winning the final 3 match-ups, and feel good about their chances to make another playoff run.
Laconia has made the NECBL postseason in each of their 3 seasons of existence, but this is the first time the team has not been the 4 seed.
Joe Torres (Iona) drove in both the game-tying and game-winning runs.
It all started in the second inning, when Chris Harvey jacked a solo homer out of the park, to get the Muskrats on top 1-0 early on.
Then, in the sixth inning, Anthony Hajjar lead off, and hit a foul ball that shattered a press box window. He and Jose Torralba walked before two RBI singles were hit to plate both runs, getting the Mainers a 2-1 lead.
The Muskrats later countered in the sixth, when Joe Torres had an RBI single to score Kyle Convissar (an un-earned run) from third. This tied the game at two.
Things then drew silent, before Kyle Convissar singled in the bottom of the ninth. It was then two outs to Chris Harvey who walked, and then Joe Torres hit an RBI single to plate the run for the Laconia, and get the walk-off win for the Muskrats.
Muskrats reliever Nevin Wilson was credited with the win. He threw 0.2 innings, giving up no hits, and striking out one.
Sanford’s reliever Tripp Davis was charged with the loss.
The NECBL postseason starts with game 1 of round 1 Friday at New Bedford at 6:30 PM. The series comes to Laconia on Saturday at 6:30 PM.
