NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Two pitchers combined on a one-hitter Wednesday as the North Adams SteepleCats opened the season with a 13-0, rain-shortened win over Sanford, Maine, at Joe Wolfe Field.

 

Tyler Hayes started and went 5-1/3 innings, striking out 10, before handing the ball to Jacob Abbott, who struck out one in 2/3 of an inning of relief.

 

And then came the rain, which was the only thing that could stop the North Adams offense on Wednesday night.

 

Sam Punzi went 2-for-4 with four runs batted in, and Brian Picone was 3-for-3 in a nine-hit North Adams attack.

 

The SteepleCats stole three bases as they opened New England Collegiate Baseball League play with a win.

 

North Adams will be home again on Friday against Winnipesauke at 6:30 p.m.