NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - The North Adams SteepleCats saw their streak of hot hitting come to an end on Monday night at Joe Wolfe Field, as the SteepleCats were dealt a 10-3 loss by the Winnipesaukee Muskrats.

 

The loss dropped North Adams to 2-1/2 games behind the Keene Swamp Bats for the third Northern Division spot in the NECBL playoffs.

 

Monday's contest featured a pitcher's duel through the first four innings, with starters Alex Pantuso (Slippery Rock) and winning pitcher Tyler Brown (Northeastern) keeping the opposition off the board. Pantuso, who was not involved in the night's decision, struck out the final hitter of the inning in each of the first four frames.

 

North Adams struck first in the bottom of the fifth inning, jumping out to a 3-0 lead with a key two-out hit. The SteepleCats loaded the bases with two outs on singles by Liam Sabino (Pittsburgh) and Jonathan Engelmann (Michigan), as well as a walk to Michael Gulino (Pace). NECBL All-Star Dillon Paulson (USC) broke the ice with a two-run single to left field, which also saw Gulino score a third run when the Muskrats were unable to handle the throw into the infield.

 

Winnipesaukee quickly battled back, scoring six runs in the top of the sixth inning to take the lead for good. JD Andreessen (Monmouth) continued to punish the SteepleCats with a solo home run, his seventh of the season. After two walks and two strikeouts, Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston) pulled the Muskrats within one with an RBI single. Following a walk, Koby Claborn (Abilene Christian) put the Muskrats in front with a bases-clearing double. Claborn subsequently scored on a wild pitch.

 

The Muskrats added four in the ninth after Zac Reid (West Virginia) and Ryan Schalch (Pacific) each tossed scoreless frames in the seventh and eighth, respectively. All four runs were unearned against the 'Cats, with the main blow being a two-run single from Bielamowicz. Michael DeMartino (Southern Connecticut State) and Josh Goulet (Plymouth State) also added RBIs to secure the Winnipesaukee win. Nate Lagos (North Greenville) tossed the final 2.2 innings for the Muskrats to earn a save.

 

While the SteepleCats are in still in playoff contention, each game takes on an added meaning in the final week of the season. The 'Cats are back at home on Tuesday night, as the first place Upper Valley Nighthawks come to town for the final time this season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.