LACONIA, N.H. -- In order to make up for a July 10 rainout earlier this year, the North Adams SteepleCats (16-16) played two games against the Winnipesaukee Muskrats (15-15) Saturday afternoon at Robbie Mills Park.

 

The SteepleCats ended up splitting the double header with a 10-2 loss in game one and a 5-3 victory in game two to hit the all-star break at .500 and tied for second.

 

Josh Simpson was handed the ball to start game one for the SteepleCats and he started off pitching really well in his first start of the season. He shut out the Muskrats for the first four innings.  He began the fifth but was unable to record an out as the Muskrats began to pour it on.  The Muskrats ultimately scored seven runs that inning and added three more in the sixth to seal the deal.

 

The Muskrats were able to completely rest their bullpen with complete games out of Mike Gentile in game one and Neil Abbatiello in game two. Gentile was dominant in shutting out the SteepleCats through the first six innings before the SteepleCats cracked the scoreboard with solo home runs by Noah Vaughan and Kyle Brennan.  

 

The big story in game two was the performance of Ryan Tapp. He struck out five through five innings and allowed one run off of seven hits to help the SteepleCats get the split. The Muskrats cut the lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth on a two run home run by Ryan Shinn but got no closer. Dustin Shirley gave the SteepleCats a big insurance run with a solo shot to lead off the top of the seventh.

 

Hoosac Valley graduate and NECBL All-Star Tanner Bird came on in the bottom of the inning to record his ninth save of the season.

 

After the all-star break, the SteepleCats will return to action Tuesday night against the Vermont Mountaineers (13-15) at Montpelier Recreation Field.