HOLYOKE, Mass. -- Isaac Alexander went 2-for-5 with a home run Monday to lead the Valley Blue Sox to an 8-1 win over the North Adams SteepleCats in New England Collegiate Baseball League action.

 

The 'Cats collected eight hits but stranded eight runners on base.

 

Brian Picone led North Adams with a 3-for-4 night at the plate. Matt Koperniak hit a solo home run, his fourth of the summer, to account for the lone SteepleCats' run.

 

North Adams (24-16) has a half-game lead for first place in the NECBL Northern Division heading into Tuesday's 6:30 p.m. home finale against Keene at Joe Wolfe Field.

 

The SteepleCats finish the regular season with a double-header at the Blue Sox on Wednesday followed by a trip to Sanford, Maine, on Thursday.