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Revision 796544040 of "2009 NECBL playoffs" on enwikiThe '''2009 NECBL playoffs''' was the postseason tournament of the [[New England Collegiate Baseball League]] for the [[2009 NECBL season|2009 season]]. It consisted of eight teams competing in three rounds of [[best-of-three playoff|best-of-three series]]. In the championship round, [[Newport Gulls|Newport]] defeated [[Vermont Mountaineers|Vermont]] 2-1 to win their fourth NECBL title.
==Format==
The 2009 NECBL playoffs consisted of three rounds, a Division Semifinal, Division Final, and Championship Series. Competing teams consisted of the four best-record teams from both the West Division and the East Division. These teams were seeded #1 through #4 according to their regular season record. In each division, the #1 seed played the #4 seed and the #2 seed played the #3 seed in the Division Semifinal round. The two winners of these series advanced to the Division Finals. The winner of the round captured the Division Championship, one for both the East and West divisions. The two division champions faced each other in the Championship Series to decide the NECBL champion. All rounds consisted of a [[Playoff format#Best-of-three playoff|best-of-three series]] in which the first game and third game (if necessary) of each series were played at the higher seed's home field and the second game was played at the lower seed's home field. If identically seeded teams from opposite divisions met in the Championship Series the NECBL tiebreaker rules would be utilized.<ref name="Playoff">[http://www.necbl.com/playoffinfo.htm Playoff Info] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 2, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ipXjbSdW Archived] 2009-08-06.</ref>
===Bracket===
{{Baseballplayoffsbracket1994-2011
| RD1=Division Semifinals
| RD2=Division Finals
| RD3=Championship Series
| group1=East Division
| group2=West Division
| team-width=175px
| RD1-seed1=1
| RD1-team1='''[[Newport Gulls]]'''
| RD1-score1='''2'''
| RD1-seed2=4
| RD1-team2=[[New Bedford Bay Sox]]
| RD1-score2=0
| RD1-seed3=2
| RD1-team3='''[[Sanford Mainers]]'''
| RD1-score3='''2'''
| RD1-seed4=3
| RD1-team4=[[North Shore Navigators]]
| RD1-score4=1
| RD1-seed5=1
| RD1-team5=[[Keene Swamp Bats]]
| RD1-score5=1
| RD1-seed6=4
| RD1-team6='''[[Holyoke Blue Sox]]'''
| RD1-score6='''2'''
| RD1-seed7=2
| RD1-team7=[[North Adams SteepleCats]]
| RD1-score7=0
| RD1-seed8=3
| RD1-team8='''[[Vermont Mountaineers]]'''
| RD1-score8='''2'''
| RD2-seed1=1
| RD2-team1='''[[Newport Gulls]]'''
| RD2-score1='''2'''
| RD2-seed2=2
| RD2-team2=[[Sanford Mainers]]
| RD2-score2=1
| RD2-seed3=3
| RD2-team3='''[[Vermont Mountaineers]]'''
| RD2-score3='''2'''
| RD2-seed4=4
| RD2-team4=[[Holyoke Blue Sox]]
| RD2-score4=0
| RD3-seed1=1
| RD3-team1='''[[Newport Gulls]]'''
| RD3-score1='''2'''
| RD3-seed2=3
| RD3-team2=[[Vermont Mountaineers]]
| RD3-score2=1
}}
==Seedings==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
===West Division===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!colspan="3" | <span style="color:black; font-size:100%;">West Division Seedings</span>
|-
!Seed
!Team
!Record
|-
|'''1'''
|[[Keene Swamp Bats]]
|27-13
|-
|'''2'''
|[[North Adams SteepleCats]]
|25-16
|-
|'''3'''
|[[Vermont Mountaineers]]
|20-19
|-
|'''4'''
|[[Holyoke Blue Sox]]
|20-21
|}
<small>Note- Holyoke defeated Danbury in one-game playoff to capture four-seed.<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/press/danbury42.htm "Westerners Drop One Game Playoff, Ends Cinderella Season"] by Anthony Buzzeo at necbl.com, URL accessed August 3, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ipXlDp7Z Archived] 2009-08-06.</ref></small>
{{col-break}}
===East Division===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!colspan="3" | <span style="color:black; font-size:100%;">East Division Seedings</span>
|-
!Seed
!Team
!Record
|-
|'''1'''
|[[Newport Gulls]]
|31-10
|-
|'''2'''
|[[Sanford Mainers]]
|23-16
|-
|'''3'''
|[[North Shore Navigators]]
|20-21
|-
|'''4'''
|[[New Bedford Bay Sox]]
|17-24
|}
<ref name="Standings">[http://www.necbl.com/nutshell.htm NECBL standings] at necbl.com; URL accessed August 1, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/query?id=1249180917127974 Archived] 2009-08-02.</ref>
{{col-end}}
==Division Semifinals==
The Division Semifinals, the first playoff round, consisted of matchups between each division's #1 and #4 seeds and #2 and #3 seeds.<ref name="Playoff Schedule">[http://www.necbl.com/playoffschedule09.htm 2009 Playoff Schedule] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 3, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ipXlbCzq Archived] 2009-08-06.</ref>
===West Division===
In the West Division, the Division Semifinal matchups were as follows: #1 Keene versus #4 Holyoke,<ref name="Playoff Schedule" /> #2 North Adams versus #3 Vermont.<ref name="Playoff Schedule" />
====''Keene vs. Holyoke''====
=====Game 1=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 2, 2009|Time=Att.- 1,205|Location=[[Alumni Field (Keene)|Alumni Field]]
|Road='''[[Holyoke Blue Sox]]'''|RoadAbr=HOL
|R1=1|R2=0|R3=1|R4=0|R5=0|R6=2|R7=0|R8=0|R9=1|RR=5|RH=10|RE=0
|Home=[[Keene Swamp Bats]]|HomeAbr=KEE
|H1=3|H2=1|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=4|HH=7|HE=0
|WP=Jonathan Stephens (1-0)|LP=Earl Daniels (0-1)|SV=
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=Correy Figueroa (1) 3 RBI
}}
''Holyoke leads series 1-0.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Keene Swamp Bats''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 1
| Mark Onoratti
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 10
| Josh Chester
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 12
| Chris Edmondson
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 5
| Ryan Terry
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 2
| Correy Figueroa
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 26
| Jacob Rogers
| [[First base|1B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 11
| José MacÃas
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 7
| Tim Hayes
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 23
| Jared King
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 4
| [[Adam Conley]]
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Holyoke Blue Sox''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 9
| Cooper Blanc
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 22
| Jim Wood
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 26
| Jake Rosenbeck
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 31
| Murray Watts
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 11
| Mike Nemeth
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 20
| Rob Lawler
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 12
| Sean Rockey
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 8
| Stephen Arcure
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 4
| Michael Beltran
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 33
| Chase Brewer
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 2, 2009''- In Game 1 of this West Division Semifinal series, the #1 seeded [[Keene Swampbats]] took on the #4 seeded [[Holyoke Blue Sox]] to begin a [[Best-of-three playoff|best-of-three series]]. The game, played at [[Alumni Field (Keene)|Alumni Field]] in [[Keene, New Hampshire]], featured a [[Starting pitcher|starting pitching]] matchup of two [[Pacific-10 Conference|Pac-10]] pitchers: Keene's Adam Conley ([[Washington State University|Washington State]]) and Holyoke's Chase Brewer ([[UCLA]]).
Holyoke scored first in the top of the first [[inning]]. After a Cooper Blanc ([[University of Utah|Utah]]) [[Base on balls|walk]] and a Jim Wood ([[Trinity College (Connecticut)|Trinity]]) [[Single (baseball)|single]], [[third baseman]] Jake Rosenbeck ([[University at Buffalo|Buffalo]]) grounded into a [[double play]], scoring Blanc, who had advanced to [[Third base|third]] on Wood's single.
Keene responded with three [[Run (baseball)|runs]] in the bottom of the first. [[Right fielder]] Chris Edmondson ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) walked with two [[Out (baseball)|outs]] and advanced to third on a Ryan Terry ([[Monmouth University|Monmouth]]) [[Double (baseball)|double]]. With two runners on, Correy Figueroa ([[University of Tampa|Tampa]]) launched a three-run [[home run]] to [[right field]], giving Keene a 3-1 lead.
Keene scored again in the bottom of the second on a successful [[double steal]]. With Keene baserunners on first and third, Chase Brewer picked off Tim Hayes ([[University of Louisville|Louisville]]) at first. However, while Hayes was caught in a [[rundown]] between first and second, José MacÃas ([[Franklin Pierce University|Franklin Pierce]]) came in the back door to score, giving Keene a 4-1 advantage.
Holyoke got one back in the top half of the third on an [[RBI]] groundout by Jim Wood, which scored Michael Beltran ([[University of Utah|Utah]]), making the score 4-2 in favor of Keene.
The game remained scoreless until the top of the sixth. After Mike Nemeth's ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]) single and Rob Lawler's ([[University at Buffalo|Buffalo]]) double gave Holyoke runners on [[Second base|second]] and third, Sean Rockey ([[George Washington University|George Washington]]) delivered a two-out, two RBI single to tie the game at 4.
The game remained tied until the top of the ninth, thanks to a strong outing by Holyoke's Jonathan Stephens ([[Samford University|Samford]]). After Blue Sox starter Chase Brewer departed after giving up four [[earned run]]s in four innings, Stephens silenced the Keene hitters, throwing five scoreless innings while giving up only one [[Hit (baseball)|hit]]. Jim Wood doubled with one out in the Holyoke ninth. After an [[Intentional base on balls|intentional walk]] was issued to Jake Rosenbeck, the Swamp Bats brought in pitcher Dexter Bobo ([[Georgia Southern University|Georgia Southern]]). Bobo struck out Holyoke's Murray Watts ([[Arkansas State]]) to record the second out. However, Mike Nemeth singled in Wood to give the Blue Sox a 5-4 lead.
Jonathan Stephens remained in the game for the bottom of the ninth. After getting the first two outs on a pair of groundouts, Stephens got pinch hitter Dustin Spruill ([[Chipola College|Chipola]]) to pop out to [[shortstop]] Michael Beltran to end the game, 5-4 Holyoke.
Holyoke's Jonathan Stephens (1-0) was credited with the win, while Keene's Earl Daniels ([[University of Georgia|Georgia]]) (0-1) took the loss. Top hitters for Keene were Chris Edmondson (2-3, R, BB) and Correy Figueroa (1-4, HR, 3 RBI). Top hitters for Holyoke were Jim Wood (3-5, 2B, RBI, R), Mike Nemeth (2-4, R, RBI, BB), and Sean Rockey (1-4, 2 RBI, BB). The game was played in front of 1,205 fans.<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/802hsks.htm KEE v. HOL Boxscore 8/2/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 3, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ipXk0HgN Archived] 2009-08-06.</ref>
=====Game 2=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 3, 2009|Time=Att.- 2,610|Location=[[Mackenzie Stadium]]
|Road='''[[Keene Swamp Bats]]'''|RoadAbr=KEE
|R1=1|R2=3|R3=2|R4=0|R5=5|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=15|RH=18|RE=0
|Home=[[Holyoke Blue Sox]]|HomeAbr=HOL
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=0|HH=1|HE=0
|WP=Tommy Meagher (1-0)|LP=Maxx Catapano (0-1)|SV=
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=
}}
''Series tied 1-1.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Holyoke Blue Sox''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 7
| Sean Emory
| [[Second base|2B]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 22
| Jim Wood
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 26
| Jake Rosenbeck
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 31
| Murray Watts
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 11
| Mike Nemeth
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 20
| Rob Lawler
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 12
| Sean Rockey
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 8
| Stephen Arcure
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 9
| Cooper Blanc
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 18
| Maxx Catapano
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Keene Swamp Bats''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 18
| Peter Verdin
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 10
| Josh Chester
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 1
| Mark Onoratti
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 12
| Chris Edmondson
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 5
| Ryan Terry
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 2
| Correy Figueroa
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 26
| Jacob Rogers
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 29
| Dustin Spruill
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 11
| José MacÃas
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
|
| Tommy Meagher
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 3, 2009''- Entering Game 2 of this West Division Semifinal, #4 seeded [[Holyoke Blue Sox|Holyoke]] held a 1-0 series lead over #1 seeded [[Keene Swamp Bats|Keene]] after winning Game 1 by a score of 5-4. For Game 2, the series came to [[Holyoke, Massachusetts|Holyoke's]] [[Mackenzie Stadium]], with the Blue Sox having an opportunity to advance to the Division Finals with a win. The pitching matchup featured Maxx Catapano ([[Southern Connecticut State University|Southern Connecticut]]) for Holyoke against Tommy Meagher ([[University of Tampa|Tampa]]) for Keene.
Keene scored first in the top of the first. Following a leadoff [[Triple (baseball)|triple]] by Peter Verdin ([[University of Georgia|Georgia]]), Josh Chester ([[Florida Gulf Coast University|Florida Gulf Coast]]) grounded out to the [[pitcher]] Catapano, scoring the run from [[Third base|third]] to give Keene an early 1-0 lead.
After a 1-2-3 bottom of the first pitched by Tommy Meagher, Keene scored again in the top of the second. With two outs and the bases empty, Jacob Rogers ([[Chipola College|Chipola]]) tripled down the [[right field]] line. Consecutive [[Base on balls|walks]] to Dustin Spruill ([[Chipola College|Chipola]]) and José MacÃas ([[Franklin Pierce University|Franklin Pierce]]) loaded the bases for [[leadoff hitter]] Peter Verdin. Verdin proceeded to clear the bases with a [[Double (baseball)|double]] to [[Baseball field#outfield|center field]], giving Keene a 4-0 advantage.
Keene struck again in the top of the third. After [[right fielder]] Chris Edmondson ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) doubled with one out, Correy Figueroa ([[University of Tampa|Tampa]]) delivered a two out [[RBI]] double to give Keene a 5-0 lead. An RBI [[Single (baseball)|single]] by Jacob Rogers scored Figueroa to extend the Swamp Bats' lead to six [[Run (baseball)|runs]].
In the fourth inning, Keene scored again off of Holyoke's Dillon Fontaine ([[American International College|American International]]), who had replaced Catapano in the third. RBI singles by Mark Onoratti ([[Manhattan College|Manhattan]]), Chris Edmondson, Correy Figueroa, and José MacÃas pushed Keene's lead to a double digit 10-0 advantage after four frames. Fontaine was knocked from the game by Edmondson's single and replaced by Mike Sclaratta ([[Pace University|Pace]]).
In the fifth inning, Keene struck for five runs. [[Third baseman]] Ryan Terry ([[Monmouth University|Monmouth]]) started the scoring with a 2 RBI single which scored Mark Onoratti and Josh Chester. After a Correy Figueroa walk, Jacob Rogers doubled to right field, scoring Terry and Figueroa. José MacÃas then singled in Rogers to give Keene a 15-0 lead which would last until the end of the game.
Keene starter Tommy Meagher (5.0 IP, 6 K) and relievers Corey Baker ([[University of Pittsburgh|Pitt]]) and Kyle McMyne ([[Villanova University|Villanova]]) combined to hold the Blue Sox offense to just one [[Hit (baseball)|hit]] on the night, a second-inning single by Rob Lawler.
In the 15-0 blowout, Meagher (1-0) was credited with the win, while Holyoke starter Maxx Catapano (0-1) suffered the loss. Top hitters for Keene were Peter Verdin (3-6, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI), Josh Chester (3-5, 2 R, 1 RBI), Chris Edmondson (2-5, 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI), Correy Figueroa (2-3, 2B, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI), and Jacob Rogers (4-6, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI). Keene's win tied the series at 1-1. The game was played in front of 2,610 at [[Mackenzie Stadium]].<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/803kshs.htm HOL v. KEE Boxscore 8/2/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 3, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ipXm2SZT Archived] 2009-08-06.</ref>
=====Game 3=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 4, 2009|Time=Att.- 1,474|Location=[[Alumni Field (Keene)|Alumni Field]]
|Road='''[[Holyoke Blue Sox]]'''|RoadAbr=HOL
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=3|R4=0|R5=1|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=4|RH=12|RE=1
|Home=[[Keene Swamp Bats]]|HomeAbr=KEE
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=1|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=2|HR=3|HH=10|HE=2
|WP=Kyle Sumple (1-0)|LP=Matt Zielinski (0-1)|SV=Doug Jennings (1)
|RoadHR=Jim Wood (1) 1 RBI, Murray Watts (1) 2 RBI|HomeHR=
}}
''Holyoke wins series 2-1.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Keene Swamp Bats''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 18
| Peter Verdin
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 10
| Josh Chester
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 1
| Mark Onoratti
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 12
| Chris Edmondson
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 5
| Ryan Terry
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 2
| Correy Figueroa
| [[Second base|2B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 26
| Jacob Rogers
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 29
| Dustin Spruill
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 11
| José MacÃas
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 30
| Matt Zielinski
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Holyoke Blue Sox''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 9
| Cooper Blanc
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 22
| Jim Wood
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 26
| Jake Rosenbeck
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 31
| Murray Watts
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 11
| Mike Nemeth
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 20
| Rob Lawler
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 12
| Sean Rockey
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 8
| Stephen Arcure
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 4
| Michael Beltran
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 17
| Kyle Sumple
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 4, 2009''- After two games in this West Division Semifinal, a tight 5-4 Game 1 [[Holyoke Blue Sox|Holyoke]] win and a 15-0 blowout by [[Keene Swamp Bats|Keene]] in Game 2, the series was tied at one game apiece. This forced a deciding Game 3, played at Keene's [[Alumni Field (Keene)|Alumni Field]]. The winner would move on to face the #3 seeded [[Vermont Mountaineers]], who had already defeated the [[North Adams SteepleCats]] 2-0 in their West Division Semifinal. The pitching matchup in [[Keene, New Hampshire|Keene]] featured Matt Zielinski ([[University of Richmond|Richmond]]) for Keene against Kyle Sumple ([[Siena College|Siena]]) for Holyoke.
After two scoreless [[inning]]s to begin the game, Holyoke scored first in the top of the third, thanks to two [[Error (baseball)|errors]] by Keene's Jacob Rogers ([[Chipola College|Chipola]]). With, one out Holyoke [[catcher]] Cooper Blanc ([[University of Utah|Utah]]) reached on an error by Rogers. Blanc then advanced to third base on another error by Rogers, this time on a failed [[pickoff]]. Jim Wood ([[Trinity College (Connecticut)|Trinity]]) then drove in Blanc with a [[sacrifice fly]] to [[left field]], giving Holyoke a 1-0 lead. After a Jake Rosenbeck ([[University at Buffalo|Buffalo]]) singled, Holyoke cleanup hitter Murray Watts ([[Arkansas State]]) hit a two-run [[home run]] over the right center field fence, extending Holyoke's lead to 3-0. All three Blue Sox runs in the inning were unearned, due to the two errors by Rogers during the inning.
The Swamp Bats responded in the bottom of the third. Mark Onoratti ([[Manhattan College|Manhattan]]) [[Double (baseball)|doubled]] to left center. The next batter, [[right fielder]] Chris Edmondson ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]), drove Onoratti in with a two-out [[RBI]] [[Single (baseball)|single]], making the score 3-1 in favor of Holyoke.
After a scoreless fourth Holyoke scored again in the fifth inning. Keene starter Matt Zielinski was pulled after four innings in favor of [[Relief pitcher|reliever]] Dan White ([[UMass Lowell]]). The first hitter of the inning, Jim Wood, hit a solo [[home run]] to give Holyoke a 4-1 lead. White then walked Jake Rosenbeck and gave up a single to Murray Watts and was pulled from the game without retiring a batter. Earl Daniels ([[University of Georgia|Georgia]]) entered the game for Keene and was able to get out of the jam by retiring Mike Nemeth ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]), Rob Lawler ([[University at Buffalo|Buffalo]]), and Sean Rockey ([[George Washington University|George Washington]]).
Holyoke [[Starting pitcher|starter]] Kyle Sumple was pulled from the game in the bottom of the sixth after loading the bases with one out. Blue Sox reliever Mitchell Beacom ([[UCLA]]) entered the game and prevented Keene from scoring by getting Josh Chester ([[Florida Gulf Coast University|Florida Gulf Coast]]) to ground into a 5U-3 double play.
After scoreless seventh and eighth innings, Holyoke threatened again in the top of the ninth. After reliever Ricky Rogers ([[St. Petersburg College|St. Petersburg]]) loaded the bases with no outs, Keene brought in Dexter Bobo ([[Georgia Southern University|Georgia Southern]]). Bobo [[Strikeout|struck out]] Murray Watts for the first out and induced Mike Nemeth to ground into a 4-6-3 [[double play]] to end the inning.
Leading 4-1, Holyoke sent Mitchell Beacom back to the mound for his third full inning of relief. Beacom allowed two quick hits to get into a jam with runners on first and third. Mark Onoratti then singled in a run, cutting the Holyoke lead to 4-2. After Beacom struck out Chris Edmondson, he was replaced by Doug Jennings ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]). Jennings entered the game holding a two-run lead with runners on second and third. Ryan Terry ([[Monmouth University|Monmouth]]) singled in one run, scoring Josh Chester to halve the Holyoke lead at 4-3. After walking Correy Figueroa ([[University of Tampa|Tampa]]), Jennings managed to strike out Jacob Rogers for the second out. Dustin Spruill ([[Chipola College|Chipola]]) then grounded to Holyoke [[third baseman]] Jake Rosenbeck, who stepped on third base for the force out to end the game, giving Holyoke the series win 2-1.
Holyoke starter Kyle Sumple got the win, pitching 5.1 innings giving up only 1 earned run. Keene starter Matt Zielinski took the loss, while Holyoke's Doug Jennings was credited with the save in a game attended by 1,474 fans. The top hitters for Holyoke were Jim Wood (3-1, BB, R, 2 RBI) and Murray Watts (3-5, R, 2 RBI). Keene's top hitters were Peter Verdin (2-5, R) and Mark Onoratti (3-5, R, RBI). Holyoke moved on to face the [[Vermont Mountaineers]] in the Division Final round.<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/804hsks.htm KEE v. HOL Boxscore 8/4/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 5, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ixk0M849 Archived] 2009-08-11.</ref>
The three games of the series drew a total of 5,289 fans, for an average of 1,763 fans per game.
====''North Adams vs. Vermont''====
=====Game 1=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 2, 2009|Time=Att.- 872|Location=[[Joe Wolfe Field]]
|Road='''[[Vermont Mountaineers]]'''|RoadAbr=VER
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=1|R4=3|R5=1|R6=0|R7=0|R8=4|R9=0|RR=9|RH=12|RE=2
|Home=[[North Adams SteepleCats]]|HomeAbr=NA
|H1=1|H2=0|H3=0|H4=1|H5=1|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=3|HH=8|HE=3
|WP=Austin Evans (1-0)|LP=Tim Boyce (0-1)|SV=
|RoadHR=Jantzen Witte (1) 1 RBI|HomeHR=
}}
''Vermont leads series 1-0.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''North Adams SteepleCats''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 12
| John Schultz
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 7
| Brandon Macias
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 27
| Paul Hoilman
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 25
| Matt Goulas
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 6
| Tony Brunetti
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 2
| Cameron McMullen
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 5
| Joseph Pavone
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 24
| Bo Reeder
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 23
| Patrick Johnson
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 22
| Tim Boyce
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Vermont Mountaineers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 23
| Steven Rosado
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 37
| Steven Felix
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 2
| Henry Dunn
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 15
| Clay Jones
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 32
| Jantzen Witte
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 40
| Tadd Bower
| [[First base|1B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 10
| Kevin Vance
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 17
| Jayson Hernandez
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 8
| Nick Martinez
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 38
| Rob Kumbatovic
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 2, 2009''- This Division Semifinal Series featured the #2 seeded [[North Adams SteepleCats]] against the #3 seeded [[Vermont Mountaineers]] in a [[best-of-three playoff]]. Game 1 was hosted by North Adams at [[Joe Wolfe Field]] in [[North Adams, Massachusetts]]. The starting pitching matchup featured North Adams' Tim Boyce ([[University of Rhode Island|Rhode Island]]) against Vermont's Rob Kumbatovic ([[Hofstra University|Hofstra]]).
After Tim Boyce pitched a 1-2-3 top of the first, North Adams scored first in the bottom of the inning. [[Left fielder]] John Schultz ([[University of Pittsburgh|Pitt]]) walked to lead off the inning, advancing to second on a failed [[pickoff]]. Brandon Macias ([[South Mountain Community College|South Mountain CC]]) then scored Schultz on an RBI single to give the SteepleCats an early 1-0 lead.
The game remained scoreless until the top of the third, when Vermont's Steven Felix ([[Troy University|Troy]]) singled with two outs to give the Mountaineers a baserunner. Henry Dunn ([[Binghamton University|Binghamton]]) then delivered a two out RBI double to right field, scoring Felix to tie the game at 1-1.
Vermont struck again in the fourth. The Mountaineers loaded the bases with two out for Steven Felix. Kevin Vance ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]) then scored on a [[wild pitch]] to give Vermont a 2-1 lead. Felix then added to the lead with a two RBI single, scoring Nick Martinez ([[Fordham University|Fordham]]) and Jayson Hernandez ([[Rutgers University|Rutgers]]) to extend Vermont's advantage to 4-1.
North Adams cut into Vermont's advantage in the bottom half of the fourth. Following a Matt Goulas ([[University of Louisiana at Lafayette|UL-Lafayette]]) leadoff double, [[second baseman]] Cameron McMullen ([[University of Massachusetts Amherst|UMass]]) scored Goulas on a single to right, making the score 4-2.
In the Vermont fifth, [[Jantzen Witte]] ([[Texas Christian University|TCU]]) hit a solo [[home run]] over the left field fence, giving the Mountaineers a three-run lead, 5-2. Witte's home run drove SteepleCats starter Tim Boyce from the game in favor of reliever Tim Shibuya ([[University of San Diego|San Diego]]). Shibuya retired Vermont without allowing any further damage.
In the SteepleCats fifth, Brandon Macias led off the inning with a double to right center. After advancing to third on a passed ball, Macias scored on an RBI groundout by Paul Hoilman ([[East Tennessee State University|East Tennessee State]]), making the score 5-3 in favor of Vermont. Mountaineer starter Rob Kumbatovic was pulled later in the inning in favor of Austin Evans ([[University of Alabama|Alabama]]).
After scoreless sixth and seventh innings pitched by North Adams' Shibuya and Vermont's Evans, Vermont put the game out of reach in the top of the eighth. Tim Shibuya was relieved by Dayton Marze ([[University of Louisiana at Lafayette|UL-Lafayette]]). An error by SteepleCats [[third baseman]] Bo Reeder ([[East Tennessee State University|East Tennessee State]]) on a ball hit by Steven Rosado ([[Troy University|Troy]]) allowed Jayson Hernandez to score an unearned run, extending Vermont's lead to 6-3. Henry Dunn grounded out to third base with the bases loaded later in the inning, scoring Nick Martinez to give the Mountaineers a two-run, 7-5 advantage. Another defensive miscue led to the eighth Vermont run when SteepleCats [[catcher]] Joseph Pavone ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]) threw the ball into center field on a failed snap throw, allowing Steven Rosado to score. An RBI single by Clay Jones extended Vermont's lead to 9-3.
Vermont relievers Justin Jackson ([[Sam Houston State University|Sam Houston State]]) and Colin Duffie ([[Milligan College|Milligan]]) combined to hold North Adams scoreless for the eighth and ninth innings to give Vermont the 9-3 win and a 1-0 series lead. The game was attended by 872 fans at [[Joe Wolfe Field]].
Vermont reliever Austin Evans was credited with the win, going 2{{fraction|1|3}} hitless innings, striking out 4. North Adams starter Tim Boyce took the loss, throwing 5{{fraction|1|3}} innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 5 hits. Boyce walked 4 and struck out 5. Vermont's top hitters were Steven Felix (2-4, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI), Jantzen Witte (2-4, BB, 2B, HR, RBI), and Nick Martinez (3-5, 2 R). North Adams' top hitter was Brandon Macias (4-4, BB, 2B, R, RBI).<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/802vmna.htm NA v. VER Boxscore 8/2/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 2, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ipXkPl24 Archived] 2009-08-06.</ref>
=====Game 2=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 3, 2009|Time=Att.- 3,112|Location=[[Montpelier Recreation Field]]
|Road=[[North Adams SteepleCats]]|RoadAbr=NA
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=0|RH=2|RE=3
|Home='''[[Vermont Mountaineers]]'''|HomeAbr=VER
|H1=0|H2=1|H3=2|H4=1|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=X|HR=4|HH=8|HE=0
|WP=Brad Altback (1-0)|LP=Brach Davis (0-1)|SV=
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=Clay Jones (1) 1 RBI
}}
''Vermont wins series 2-0.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Vermont Mountaineers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 23
| Steven Rosado
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 37
| Steven Felix
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 2
| Henry Dunn
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 15
| Clay Jones
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 32
| Jantzen Witte
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 27
| Ethan Paquette
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 10
| Kevin Vance
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 6
| Cody Morehouse
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 22
| Kevin Nieto
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 28
| Brad Altback
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''North Adams SteepleCats''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 12
| John Schultz
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 7
| Brandon Macias
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 27
| Paul Hoilman
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 25
| Matt Goulas
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 6
| Tony Brunetti
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 2
| Cameron McMullen
| [[Second base|2B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 5
| Joseph Pavone
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 10
| Grant Gadjosz
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 24
| Bo Reeder
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 18
| Brach Davis
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 2, 2009''- Entering Game 2 of this West Division Semifinal Series, the #3 seeded [[Vermont Mountaineers]] held a 1-0 series lead over the #2 seeded [[North Adams SteepleCats]] after a 9-3 victory in Game 1. With a win, Vermont would advance to the Division Finals to face the winner of the Keene/Holyoke series. If North Adams won, the series would return to North Adams for a decisive Game 3. Game 2 was hosted by Vermont at [[Montpelier Recreation Field]] in [[Montpelier, Vermont]]. The starting pitching matchup featured Vermont's Brad Altback ([[Bradley University|Bradley]]) versus North Adams' Brach Davis ([[University of Memphis|Memphis]]).
Altback and Davis traded hitless frames until the bottom of the second, when Vermont's Clay Jones ([[University of Alabama|Alabama]]) hit a solo [[home run]] to left field off of Davis, giving the Mountaineers an early 1-0 lead.
After Brad Altback retired North Adams in order in the SteepleCats third, Vermont scored again in the bottom of the inning. Nine-hitter Kevin Nieto ([[Manhattan College|Manhattan]]) led off the inning with a [[triple (baseball)|triple]] and scored when SteepleCats shortstop Brandon Macias committed an [[Error (baseball)|error]] on a grounder hit by Steven Rosado ([[Troy University|Troy]]), pushing the Vermont lead to 2-0. The Mountaineers added another later in the inning. Rosado advanced to second on a [[wild pitch]] and reached third base on a Steven Felix ([[Troy University|Troy]]) groundout. Then, a two-out error by North Adams [[first baseman]] Paul Hoilman ([[East Tennessee State University|East Tennessee State]]) allowed Rosado to score, running the score to 3-0.
Vermont scored for the third consecutive inning in the fourth on a Kevin Nieto RBI single, which scored Kevin Vance ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]), making the score 4-0.
SteepleCats starter Brach Davis would go 5.0, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out four.
After the fourth, the North Adams pitching staff was able to hold the Mountaineer offense at bay. After Davis exited after the fifth inning, SteepleCats relievers Ken Graveline ([[University of Rhode Island|Rhode Island]]), Ryan Fraser ([[University of Memphis|Memphis]]), and Kevin Fuqua ([[La Salle University|La Salle]]) each threw a scoreless inning. However, the SteepleCats lineup could not produce runs off of Vermont pitcher Brad Altback. Altback threw 8.0 innings, giving up only two hits while striking out thirteen SteepleCats.
After, Altback's departure from a 4-0 game in the eighth inning, Vermont brought on Kevin Vance, who had started the game at third base, to pitch the ninth inning. Vance retired John Schultz ([[University of Pittsburgh|Pitt]]), Brandon Macias, and Paul Hoilman in order to give the Mountaineers the game and series win. Vermont would move on to face the winner of the other West Division Semifinal between the [[Keene Swamp Bats]] and [[Holyoke Blue Sox]].
Vermont's Brad Altback was credited with the win, while North Adams' Brach Davis took the loss. Vermont's top hitters were Clay Jones (1-4, HR, RBI), Kevin Vance (2-4, R), and Kevin Nieto (2-3, 3B, R, RBI). The game was attended by 3,112 at [[Montpelier Recreation Field]].<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/803navm.htm VER v. NA Boxscore 8/3/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 3, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ipXmRkTh Archived] 2009-08-06.</ref>
The two games of the series drew a total of 3,984 fans, for an average of 1,992 fans per game.
===East Division===
In the East Division, the Division Semifinal matchups were as follows: #1 Newport versus #4 New Bedford,<ref name="Playoff Schedule" /> #2 Sanford versus #3 North Shore.<ref name="Playoff Schedule" />
====''Newport vs. New Bedford''====
=====Game 1=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 2, 2009|Time=Att.- 1,472|Location=[[Cardines Field]]
|Road=[[New Bedford Bay Sox]]|RoadAbr=NB
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=2|R4=0|R5=2|R6=0|R7=2|R8=0|R9=1|RR=7|RH=11|RE=0
|Home='''[[Newport Gulls]]'''|HomeAbr=NPT
|H1=0|H2=2|H3=0|H4=0|H5=2|H6=0|H7=0|H8=8|H9=X|HR=12|HH=13|HE=2
|WP=Geoff Brown (1-0)|LP=Chris Finneran (0-1)|SV=
|RoadHR=Brandon Garcia (1) 2 RBI, Pierce Rankin (1) 2 RBI|HomeHR=Joey Bergman (1) 4 RBI, Aaron Westlake (1) 2 RBI, Mike Melillo (1) 2 RBI
}}
''Newport leads series 1-0.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Newport Gulls''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 6
| TJ Mittelstaedt
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 8
| Sean Paino
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 4
| Joey Bergman
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 29
| Aaron Westlake
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 19
| Derek Jones
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 26
| Troy Scott
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 12
| Tim Smalling
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 10
| Mike Melillo
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 5
| Greg Garcia
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 14
| Andrew Kittredge
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''New Bedford Bay Sox''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 17
| Alan Fredriksson
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 33
| Jeff Macchi
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 51
| Derek Migrants
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 32
| Brandon Garcia
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 12
| Pierce Rankin
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 16
| Tom Conley
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 2
| Daniel Haugh
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 7
| Chris Famiglietti
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 23
| Matt Beaulieu
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 31
| Will Jolin
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 2, 2009''- This East Division Semifinal Series featured the #1 seeded [[Newport Gulls]] against the #4 seeded [[New Bedford Bay Sox]] in a [[best-of-three playoff]]. Game 1 was hosted by Newport at [[Cardines Field]] in [[Newport, Rhode Island]]. The starting pitching matchup featured Newport's Andrew Kittredge ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) against New Bedford's Will Jolin ([[University of Florida|Florida]]).
Newport scored first in the top of the second inning. Gulls [[first baseman]] Troy Scott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) led off the inning with a single. After reaching a 2-2 count on Newport [[shortstop]] Tim Smalling ([[Virginia Polytechnic University|Virginia Tech]]), Bay Sox starter Will Jolin suffered an arm injury and was removed from the game in favor of Connor Little ([[University of Hawaii|Hawaii]]). Little got Smalling to fly out to center, but surrendered a two-run [[home run]] to the next batter, Mike Melillo ([[Elon University|Elon]]), making the score 2-0 Newport.
New Bedford answered in the top of the third. With runners on first and third, Jeff Macchi ([[University of Massachusetts Dartmouth|UMASS-Dartmouth]]) singled in two runs to tie the score at 2-2.
The game remained scoreless until the Bay Sox fifth. After [[first baseman]] Brandon Garcia ([[University of Southern California|USC]]) singled with two outs, Pierce Rankin ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) hit a two-run [[home run]] to give New Bedford a 4-2 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, Newport's Joey Bergman ([[College of Charleston]]) singled with two outs to bring up [[designated hitter]] Aaron Westlake ([[Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt]]). Westlake proceeded to hit a two-run homer to tie the game at 4-4.
The game remained tied until the New Bedford seventh. Jeff Macchi led off the frame with a single. With one out, Brandon Garcia hit a two-run home run to give the Bay Sox a 6-4 late inning lead.
Trailing 6-4 entering the bottom of the eighth, Newport struck for eight runs in the frame off Bay Sox pitchers Chris Finneran ([[Yale University|Yale]]) and Kaleb Merck ([[Texas Christian University|TCU]]). RBI singles by Mike Melillo and Sean Paino ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) and a 2-RBI base hit by Brandon Garcia scored the first four runs. Then, with one out and the bases loaded, Joey Bergman hit a grand slam to make the score 12-6 in favor of the Gulls.
Newport brought on reliever Matt Branham ([[University of South Carolina Upstate|SC Upstate]]) for the ninth. Although New Bedford scored once on a Mike Famiglietti RBI single ([[Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi|Texas A&M-Corpus Christi]]), Branham struck out Matt Beaulieu ([[Saint Michael's College|St. Michael's]]) to end the game.
Newport reliever Geoff Brown ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) received the win, while New Bedford's Chris Finneran took the loss. Newport's top hitters were Sean Paino (3-5, R, RBI), Joey Bergman (3-5, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI), and Mike Melillo (2-3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI). Top hitters for New Bedford were Jeff Macchi (4-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI), Brandon Garcia (2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI), and Pierce Rankin (1-4, BB, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI). The game was attended by 1,472 at [[Cardines Field]].<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/802nbng.htm NPT v. NB Boxscore 8/2/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 2, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ipXkohM2 Archived] 2009-08-06.</ref>
=====Game 2=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 3, 2009|Time=Att.- 1,111|Location=[[Paul Walsh Field]]
|Road='''[[Newport Gulls]]'''|RoadAbr=NPT
|R1=2|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=2|RR=4|RH=10|RE=1
|Home=[[New Bedford Bay Sox]]|HomeAbr=NB
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=0|HH=3|HE=0
|WP=Will Roberts (1-0)|LP=J.R. Lott (0-1)|SV=
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=
}}
''Newport wins series 2-0.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''New Bedford Bay Sox''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 17
| Alan Fredriksson
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 33
| Jeff Macchi
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 51
| Derek Migrants
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 32
| Brandon Garcia
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 12
| Pierce Rankin
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 16
| Tom Conley
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 2
| Daniel Haugh
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 44
| Rick Wilson
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 23
| Matt Beaulieu
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 48
| James Lott
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Newport Gulls''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 1
| David Bentrott
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 8
| Sean Paino
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 4
| Joey Bergman
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 29
| Aaron Westlake
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 19
| Derek Jones
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 9
| Mike Kaminski
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 10
| Mike Melillo
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 12
| Tim Smalling
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 26
| Troy Scott
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 23
| Will Roberts
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 3, 2009''- Entering Game 2 of this East Division Semifinal Series, the [[Newport Gulls]] held a 1-0 series lead over the [[New Bedford Bay Sox]] after a 12-7 win in Game 1. Game 2 was played at [[Paul Walsh Field]] in [[New Bedford, Massachusetts]]. A win for the Gulls would advance them to the East Division Finals to face either the [[Sanford Mainers]] or the [[North Shore Navigators]]. A Bay Sox win would extend the series to a decisive Game 3 played in [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]]. The pitching matchup featured James Lott ([[Suffolk County Community College|Suffolk CC]]) for New Bedford against Will Roberts ([[University of Virginia|Virginia]]) for the Gulls.
Newport scored first in the top of the first inning. David Bentrott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) and Joey Bergman ([[College of Charleston]]) each reached on singles. Aaron Westlake then doubled to the left center field gap, scoring both runners to give Newport a 2-0 lead.
After the top of the first, both starters settled down and dominated the opposing lineups. Between the bottom of the first and the bottom of the seventh, Lott and Roberts combined to allow only three hits. Newport took a 2-0 lead into the top of the eighth, when a Sean Paino ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) double and a Joey Bergman single gave Newport runners on first and third with one out. However, Lott induced a 4-6-3 double play by Aaron Westlake to end the threat.
New Bedford threatened with a rally of their own in the bottom of the eighth. After a two-base error on Newport [[right fielder]] Mike Kaminski ([[Virginia Polytechnic University|Virginia Tech]]) allowed Brandon Garcia ([[University of Southern California|USC]]) to reach second, Pierce Rankin ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) was hit by a pitch. Tom Conley ([[University of Massachusetts Amherst|UMass]]) then sacrifice bunted to move the runners to second and third. However, Roberts got Daniel Haugh ([[Wheaton College (Massachusetts)|Wheaton]]) to pop out and then struck out Rick Wilson ([[Dixie State College of Utah|Dixie State]]) to end the inning.
Back-to-back doubles by Mike Kaminski and Mike Melillo ([[Elon University|Elon]]) plated one run in the top of the ninth, extending Newport's lead to 3-0. An RBI single by Troy Scott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) gave Newport a 4-0 lead. Will Roberts then pitched a scoreless ninth, earning a complete game shut out. Newport's 4-0 win gave them a berth into the East Division Final round.
Will Roberts pitched a complete game shut out, striking out four, to get the win. James Lott, who pitched 8.1 innings and gave up four runs, took the loss. Top hitters for Newport were Joey Bergman (2-3, R), Aaron Westlake (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI), and Mike Kaminski (3-4, 2B, R). The game was attended by 1,111 fans.
<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/803ngnb.htm NB v. NPT Boxscore 8/3/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 3, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ipXmqdAV Archived] 2009-08-06.</ref>
A total of 2,583 fans attended the two games of the series, for an average of 1,292 fans per game.
====''Sanford vs. North Shore''====
=====Game 1=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 2, 2009|Time=Att.- 437|Location=[[Goodall Park]]
|Road=[[North Shore Navigators]]|RoadAbr=NS
|R1=0|R2=2|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=2|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=4|RH=10|RE=2
|Home='''[[Sanford Mainers]]'''|HomeAbr=SAN
|H1=0|H2=1|H3=0|H4=0|H5=4|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=X|HR=5|HH=7|HE=1
|WP=Kyle Davis (1-0)|LP=Jeff Tardiff (0-1)|SV=Tyler Mizenko (1)
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=
}}
* Note- First five innings played in [[Sanford, Maine]]. After suspension due to inclement weather, game completed in [[Lynn, Massachusetts]] on August 3, 2009.
''Sanford leads series 1-0.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Sanford Mainers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 3
| Mark Micowski
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 7
| Matt Marra
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 4
| Mike Roth
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 21
| Dylan Pratt
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 26
| Corey Thompson
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 12
| Tucker Nathans
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 2
| Adam DuVall
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 8
| Doug Elliot
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 1
| Chris Spatkowski
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 27
| Matt Murray
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''North Shore Navigators''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 32
| Nathaniel Dennis
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 5
| Michael LeBel
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 22
| Tyler Ruehlman
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 13
| Kent Graham
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 15
| Patrick Brady
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 30
| Michael Dowd
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 7
| Jim Schult
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 27
| Ben Waldrip
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 16
| Josh Band
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 14
| Jeff Tardiff
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 2, 2009''- This East Division Semifinal Series featured the #2 seeded Sanford Mainers against the #3 seeded North Shore Navigators in a [[best-of-three playoff]]. Game 1 was hosted by Sanford at [[Goodall Park]] in [[Sanford, Maine]]. Inclement weather forced the game to be completed at [[Fraser Field]] in [[Lynn, Massachusetts]], home field of the Navigators. The starting pitching matchup featured Sanford's Matt Murray ([[Georgia Southern University|Georgia Southern]]) versus North Shore's Jeff Tardiff ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]).
After a scoreless first inning, North Shore scored first in the top of the second inning. After the first two hitters were retired, Michael Dowd ([[Franklin Pierce University|Franklin Pierce]]) and Jim Schult ([[Eastern Connecticut State University|Eastern Connecticut]]) each singled to give the Navigators runners on first and second. Ben Waldrip ([[Saint Anselm College|Saint Anselm]]) then doubled, scoring both runners to give North Shore an early 2-0 lead.
Sanford answered in the bottom of the second, when an error by North Shore [[catcher]] Michael Dowd allowed Dylan Pratt ([[Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt]]) to score. Pratt had singled to lead off the inning. This cut the Navigator lead to 2-1.
The game remained 2-1 until the middle of the fifth. At this time, the game was called off due to heavy rain. The game was resumed on August 3 in [[Lynn, Massachusetts]], as the first game of a [[Doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]].
The game restarted in the Sanford fifth inning. After North Shore got two quick outs, the Mainers scored four times. A Mark Micowski ([[University of Vermont|Vermont]]) triple scored Chris Spatkowski ([[Pace University|Pace]]), who had been hit by a pitch. Micowski then scored on an error by Navigator [[shortstop]] Patrick Brady ([[Bellarmine University|Bellarmine]]). A two RBI Dylan Pratt double made the score 5-2.
North Shore responded quickly in the top of the sixth on a two RBI triple by Michael LeBel ([[University of Rhode Island|Rhode Island]]). Josh Band ([[Rollins College|Rollins]]) and Nathaniel Dennis ([[Long Beach State University|Long Beach State]]) scored on the hit to make the score 5-4.
The game remained scoreless into the Navigator eighth. Josh Band singled with two outs and stole second, putting the tying run in scoring position. However, Sanford reliever Lucas Nellis ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) got Nathaniel Dennis to line out to [[Baseball field#outfield|center field]], ending the inning. Sanford closer Tyler Mizenko ([[Winthrop University|Winthrop]]) retired the Navigators in the ninth to give the Mainers a 5-4 victory.
Sanford reliever Kyle Davis ([[University of Massachusetts Lowell|UMass Lowell]]) received the win while North Shore starter Jeff Tardiff took the loss. Sanford's Tyler Mizenko was credited with the save. Top hitters for Sanford were Mark Micowski (1-4, 3B, R, RBI) and Dylan Pratt (2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI). Top hitters for North Shore were Michael LeBel (2-5, 3B, 2 RBI) and Ben Waldrip (2-4, 2B, RBI). The game was attended by 568 in Sanford and 30 in Lynn.<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/802nssm.htm SAN v. NS Boxscore 8/3/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 3, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ipXnCrY5 Archived] 2009-08-06.</ref>
=====Game 2=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 3, 2009|Time=Att.- 725|Location=[[Fraser Field]]
|Road=[[Sanford Mainers]]|RoadAbr=SAN
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=2|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=2|RH=8|RE=0
|Home='''[[North Shore Navigators]]'''|HomeAbr=NS
|H1=3|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=X|HR=3|HH=7|HE=0
|WP=Jim Schult (1-0)|LP=Ken Monteith (0-1)|SV=Christopher Kowalski (1)
|RoadHR=Mark Micowski (1)|HomeHR=
}}
''Series tied 1-1.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''North Shore Navigators''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 32
| Nathaniel Dennis
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 5
| Michael LeBel
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 15
| Patrick Brady
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 27
| Ben Waldrip
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 13
| Kent Graham
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 30
| Michael Dowd
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 36
| Matt Marquis
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 22
| Tyler Ruehlman
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 16
| Josh Band
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 33
| Jason Markovitz
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Sanford Mainers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 3
| Mark Micowski
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 7
| Matt Marra
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 4
| Mike Roth
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 21
| Dylan Pratt
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 26
| Corey Thompson
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 12
| Tucker Nathans
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 2
| Adam DuVall
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 13
| Bob Stumpo
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 23
| Adam Matthews
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 15
| Kenny Monteith
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 3, 2009''- Entering Game 2 of this East Division Semifinal Series, the [[Sanford Mainers]] held a 1-0 series lead after a 5-4 victory over the [[North Shore Navigators]] in Game 1. Game 2 was played as the second game of a [[Doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]] at [[Fraser Field]] in [[Lynn, Massachusetts]]. The Mainers could advance to the East Division Finals with a win, to face either the [[Newport Gulls]] or the [[New Bedford Bay Sox]]. The starting pitching matchup featured North Shore's Rob Markovitz ([[Long Beach State University|Long Beach State]]) versus Sanford's Kenny Monteith ([[Winthrop University|Winthrop]]).
After Jason Markovitz threw a perfect top of the first, North Shore scored three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Three singles by Nathaniel Dennis ([[Long Beach State University|Long Beach State]]), Michael LeBel ([[University of Rhode Island|Rhode Island]]), and Patrick Brady ([[Bellarmine University|Bellarmine]]) loaded the bases with no outs. Cleanup hitter Ben Waldrip ([[Saint Anselm College|Saint Anselm]]) then hit a [[sacrifice fly]] to score Dennis, giving the Navigators a 1-0 lead. Kent Graham ([[Trinity College (Connecticut)|Trinity]]) then hit a two RBI double to give North Shore a 3-0 advantage.
The game remained scoreless until the Sanford fifth, when Mark Micowski ([[University of Vermont|Vermont]]) hit a solo [[home run]], cutting the North Shore lead to 3-1. Corey Thompson ([[East Carolina University|East Carolina]]) then hit an RBI single to score Mike Roth ([[University of South Carolina|South Carolina]]), driving Navigator starter Jason Markovitz from the game. Jim Schult ([[Eastern Connecticut State University|Eastern Connecticut]]) replaced Markovitz and struck out Tucker Nathans ([[Fairfield University|Fairfield]]) to end the inning with North Shore leading 3-2.
The Navigator [[bullpen]] held Sanford to no runs on only two hits for the remainder of the game. Schult, Matt Lewis ([[University of California, Davis|UC Davis]]), and Garret Smith ([[Boston College]]) combined to throw scoreless sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. Navigator closer Chris Kowalski ([[Boston College]]) came on for the ninth and retired the side in order to earn the save and give North Shore a 3-2 win.
North Shore's John Schult was credited with the win while Sanford starter Kenny Monteith was given the loss. Chris Kowalski earned his first postseason save. The win tied the series at 1-1. Top hitters for North Shore were Michael LeBel (2-3, BB, R) and Patrick Brady (2-4, R, SB). Top hitters for Sanford were Mark Micowski (1-5, HR, RBI) and Matt Marra ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) (1-5, 2B). The game was attended by 725 at [[Fraser Field]] in [[Lynn, Massachusetts]].<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/803smns.htm NS v. SAN Boxscore 8/3/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 4, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ipXnbVQ1 Archived] 2009-08-06.</ref>
=====Game 3=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 4, 2009|Time=Att.- 568|Location=[[Goodall Park]]
|Road=[[North Shore Navigators]]|RoadAbr=NS
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=1|R6=1|R7=0|R8=0|R9=1|RR=3|RH=9|RE=1
|Home='''[[Sanford Mainers]]'''|HomeAbr=SAN
|H1=1|H2=2|H3=0|H4=0|H5=1|H6=0|H7=0|H8=1|H9=X|HR=5|HH=12|HE=1
|WP=Kyle Davis (1-0)|LP=Mike Gallo (0-1)|SV=Tyler Mizenko (2)
|RoadHR=Michael Dowd (1)|HomeHR=
}}
''Sanford wins series 2-1.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Sanford Mainers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 3
| Mark Micowski
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 7
| Matt Marra
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 4
| Mike Roth
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 21
| Dylan Pratt
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 26
| Corey Thompson
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 12
| Tucker Nathans
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 2
| Adam DuVall
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 8
| Doug Elliot
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 23
| Adam Matthews
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 11
| Colin Snow
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''North Shore Navigators''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 32
| Nathaniel Dennis
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 5
| Michael LeBel
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 13
| Kent Graham
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 27
| Ben Waldrip
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 15
| Patrick Brady
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 30
| Michael Dowd
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 36
| Matt Marquis
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 17
| Kyle Multner
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 16
| Josh Band
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 44
| Mike Gallo
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 4, 2009''- Entering Game 3 of this East Division Semifinal, the series was tied at 1-1 between the [[Sanford Mainers]] and [[North Shore Navigators]]. Game 3, deciding which team would advance to play the [[Newport Gulls]] in the Division Finals, was played at [[Goodall Park]] in [[Sanford, Maine]]. The starting pitchers were Colin Snow ([[Georgia Southern University|Georgia Southern]]) for Sanford and Mike Gallo ([[Milligan College|Milligan]]) for North Shore.
Sanford scored first in the bottom of the first. [[Center fielder]] Mark Micowski ([[University of Vermont|Vermont]]) led off the inning with a double. He was later driven in on an RBI single by Michael Roth ([[University of South Carolina|South Carolina]]), making the score 1-0 Mainers.
Sanford scored again in the bottom of the second. Adam DuVall ([[University of Louisville|Louisville]]) scored on an error by Navigator [[catcher]] Michael Dowd ([[Franklin Pierce University|Franklin Pierce]]). The Mainers got another run on a Matt Marra ([[LeMoyne College|LeMoyne]]) infield single, which scored Doug Elliot ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]) to push the Sanford lead to 3-0.
The game remained scoreless into the top of the fifth, when North Shore got on the board. Nathaniel Dennis ([[Long Beach State University|Long Beach State]]) doubled with one out and advanced to third on a Michael LeBel ([[University of Rhode Island|Rhode Island]]) single. Kent Graham ([[Trinity College (Connecticut)|Trinity]]) then doubled to left, scoring Dennis to make the score 3-1.
Sanford answered in the bottom of the inning. Corey Thompson ([[East Carolina University|East Carolina]]) singled and was driven in by an Adam DuVall single, extending Sanford's lead to 4-1.
North Shore scored again on a solo home run by Michael Dowd in the top of the sixth off of reliever Tom McDermott ([[LeMoyne College|LeMoyne]]). This cut the Mainer lead to 4-2.
McDermott and Neil Holland ([[University of Louisville|Louisville]]) held the Navigators scoreless through the eighth, and Sanford got an insurance run in the bottom of the inning. Mark Micowski doubled with two outs and was driven in on a Mike Roth single, extending Sanford's lead to 5-2.
Mainers closer Tyler Mizenko ([[Winthrop University|Winthrop]]) came in for the ninth. After quickly retiring the first two batters, Mizenko walked Michael LeBel, then gave up a triple to Kent Graham, making the game 5-3. However, Mizenko retired Ben Waldrip ([[Saint Anselm College|Saint Anselm]]) to end the game in a 5-3 Mainers victory.
Sanford reliever Kyle Davis ([[University of Massachusetts Lowell|UMass Lowell]]) was credited with the win, while Navigator starter Mike Gallo was saddled with the loss. Tyler Mizenko earned his second save of the series. Sanford's top hitters were Mark Micowski (3-5, 2B, 2 R), Matt Marra (2-3, BB, SB, RBI), and Mike Roth (2-4, BB, 2 RBI). North Shore's top hitters were Michael LeBel (2-3, 2 BB, R), Kent Graham (3-4, BB, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI), and Michael Dowd (2-4, HR, RBI). Sanford advanced to face Newport in the East Division Finals. The game was attended by 568 at [[Goodall Park]].
The series was attended by a total of 1,730 fans, for an average of 577 per game.<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/804nssm.htm SAN v. NS Boxscore 8/4/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 5, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ixk0lSZI Archived] 2009-08-11.</ref>
==Division Finals==
The Division Finals, the second playoff round, consisted of matchups between the winners of each division's semifinal rounds.<ref name="Playoff" />
===West Division===
In the West Division, the Division Final matchup was between #3 Vermont and #4 Holyoke.<ref name="Playoff Schedule" />
====''Vermont vs. Holyoke''====
=====Game 1=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 5, 2009|Time=Att.- 1,609|Location=[[Montpelier Recreation Field]]
|Road=[[Holyoke Blue Sox]]|RoadAbr=HOL
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=1|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=1|RH=4|RE=1
|Home='''[[Vermont Mountaineers]]'''|HomeAbr=VER
|H1=1|H2=2|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=3|H7=1|H8=0|H9=X|HR=7|HH=8|HE=1
|WP=Alex Kaminsky (1-0)|LP=Taylor Wood (0-1)|SV=
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=Kevin Nieto (1) 2 RBI, Steven Felix (1) 3 RBI
}}
''Vermont leads series 1-0.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Vermont Mountaineers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 22
| Kevin Nieto
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 37
| Steven Felix
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 2
| Henry Dunn
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 23
| Steven Rosado
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 15
| Clay Jones
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 10
| Kevin Vance
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 27
| Ethan Paquette
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 8
| Nick Martinez
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 32
| Jantzen Witte
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 35
| Alex Kaminsky
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Holyoke Blue Sox''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 9
| Cooper Blanc
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 22
| Jim Wood
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 26
| Jake Rosenbeck
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 31
| Murray Watts
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 11
| Mike Nemeth
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 20
| Rob Lawler
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 8
| Stephen Arcure
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 7
| Sean Emory
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 4
| Michael Beltran
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 19
| Taylor Wood
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 5, 2009''- The West Division Final featured the #3 seeded [[Vermont Mountaineers]] (defeated North Adams 2-0 in first round) and the #4 seeded [[Holyoke Blue Sox]] (defeated Keene 2-1 in first round). The winner of the [[Best-of-three playoff|best-of-three]] Division Final would advance to the NECBL Championship Series. Game 1 was played at [[Montpelier Recreation Field]], home field of the Mountaineers. The starting pitching matchup featured Vermont's Alex Kaminsky ([[Wright State University|Wright State]]) and Holyoke's Taylor Wood ([[Cornell University|Cornell]]).
The scoring started in the Vermont first inning. The Mountaineer leadoff hitter, Kevin Nieto ([[Manhattan College|Manhattan]]) struck out but reached first on a passed ball. Nieto advanced to third on a foul out and a wild pitch. Henry Dunn ([[Binghamton University|Binghamton]]) then scored Nieto on a groundout, giving Vermont an early 2-1 edge.
The Mountaineers scored again in the bottom of the second. After Blue Sox starter Taylor Wood retired the first two batters, [[Jantzen Witte]] ([[Texas Christian University|TCU]]) singled to center. Kevin Nieto then launched a two-run [[home run]] to right center field, extending Vermont's lead to 3-0.
The Blue Sox got on the board in the fourth inning. Sean Emory's ([[Stetson University|Stetson]]) two-out double scored Mike Nemeth ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]) to cut the Mountaineer lead to 3-1. Holyoke then had runners on second and third, but Michael Beltran ([[University of Utah|Utah]]) flied out to right field to end the threat.
Holyoke threatened again in the top of the fifth. Cooper Blanc ([[University of Utah|Utah]]) reached on an error to begin the inning, then stole second to advance into scoring position. However, Holyoke's three and four hitters, Jake Rosenbeck ([[University at Buffalo|Buffalo]]) and Murray Watts ([[Arkansas State University|Arkansas State]]) could not drive Blanc in, and the Vermont lead held at 3-1.
Vermont extended their advantage in the bottom of the sixth. Holyoke starter Taylor Wood was removed from the game after walking two batters. Matt Compton ([[Burlington County College|Burlington CC]]) was brought on in relief. Compton then surrendered a three run [[home run]] to Steven Felix ([[Troy University|Troy]]), giving Vermont a 6-1 lead.
The Mountaineers added another run in the bottom of the seventh on a Nick Martinez ([[Fordham University|Fordham]]) double. It scored Clay Jones ([[University of Alabama|Alabama]]), who had reached on an error to begin the inning, to make the score 7-1.
Holyoke threatened to cut into the lead in the top of the eighth inning. Vermont reliever Austin Evans ([[University of Alabama|Alabama]]) walked thee batters to load the bases with one out. Colin Duffie ([[Milligan College|Milligan]]) was brought in relief and retired Stephen Arcure ([[The College of William & Mary|William & Mary]]) and Sean Emory to end the threat. Duffie stayed in the game for the ninth inning and retired Holyoke in order to give Vermont a 7-1 win and a 1-0 series lead.
Vermont's Alex Kaminsky got the win while Holyoke's Taylor Wood suffered the loss. Top hitters for Vermont were Kevin Nieto (1-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI), Steven Felix (1-4, BB, 2 SB, HR), Clay Jones (2-4, 2B, R), and Nick Martinez (2-3, 2B, RBI). Holyoke's top hitter was Sean Emory (1-4, 2B, RBI). The game was attended by 1,609 at [[Montpelier Recreation Field]].<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/805hsvm.htm VER v. HOL Boxscore 8/5/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 6, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ixk1A46B Archived] 2009-08-11.</ref>
=====Game 2=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 6, 2009|Time=Att.- 1,621|Location=[[Mackenzie Stadium]]
|Road='''[[Vermont Mountaineers]]'''|RoadAbr=VER
|R1=1|R2=0|R3=0|R4=3|R5=1|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=5|RH=9|RE=2
|Home=[[Holyoke Blue Sox]]|HomeAbr=HOL
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=1|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=2|H9=0|HR=3|HH=7|HE=1
|WP=Justin Jackson (1-0)|LP=Doug Jennings (0-1)|SV=Kevin Vance (1)
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=Murray Watts (2) 2 RBI
}}
''Vermont wins series 2-0.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Holyoke Blue Sox''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 9
| Cooper Blanc
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 22
| Jim Wood
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 26
| Jake Rosenbeck
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 31
| Murray Watts
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 11
| Mike Nemeth
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 20
| Rob Lawler
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 8
| Stephen Arcure
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 7
| Sean Emory
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 4
| Michael Beltran
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 34
| Doug Jennings
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Vermont Mountaineers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 22
| Kevin Nieto
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 37
| Steven Felix
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 2
| Henry Dunn
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 15
| Clay Jones
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 23
| Steven Rosado
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 40
| Tadd Bower
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 10
| Kevin Vance
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 8
| Nick Martinez
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 32
| Jantzen Witte
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 31
| Justin Jackson
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 5, 2009''- Entering Game 2 of the West Division Finals, between the [[Vermont Mountaineers]] and the [[Holyoke Blue Sox]], Vermont held a 1-0 series lead. With a win, Vermont would advance to the NECBL Championship Series to face the East Division Champion. The matchup of starting pitchers featured Holyoke's Doug Jennings ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]) against Vermont's Justin Jackson ([[Sam Houston State University|Sam Houston State]]).
Vermont got on the board quickly, scoring in the top of the first. After two quick outs, Mountaineers three-hitter Henry Dunn ([[Binghamton University|Binghamton]]) was hit by a pitch. He advanced to second when Clay Jones ([[University of Alabama|Alabama]]) was also hit by a pitch. [[Left fielder]] Steven Rosado ([[Troy University|Troy]]) then drove Dunn in with a single to right center field, making the score 1-0 Vermont.
Both starters then settled into the game, with the teams combining for only two hits until the top of the fourth. A pair of singles by Clay Jones and Steven Rosado gave the Mountaineers a pair of baserunners with no outs. An error by Holyoke [[first baseman]] Mike Nemeth ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]) allowed Tadd Bower ([[The College of William & Mary|William & Mary]]) to reach, loading the bases. Nick Martinez ([[Fordham University|Fordham]]) then doubled to score two runs, extending the Vermont advantage to 3-0. [[Jantzen Witte]] ([[Texas Christian University|TCU]]) then hit a sacrifice fly to score Bower, making the game 4-0.
Holyoke answered in the bottom of the inning. Murray Watts ([[Arkansas State University|Arkansas State]]) hit a leadoff double and later advanced to third on a Rob Lawler ([[University at Buffalo|Buffalo]]) single. Stephen Arcure ([[The College of William & Mary|William & Mary]]) then scored Watts with an RBI single, cutting Vermont's advantage to 4-1.
In the Vermont fifth, [[designated hitter]] Steven Felix ([[Troy University|Troy]]) singled to begin the inning. He advanced to third by a [[passed ball]] and sacrifice fly and eventually scored on a wild pitch. This drove Blue Sox starter Doug Jennings from the game, in favor of reliever Jonathan Stephens ([[Samford University|Samford]]). Stephens retired a pair of Mountaineers to end the inning.
Vermont starter Justin Jackson pitched 7.0 innings on the night, allowing only 1 earned run on 5 hits. He walked 2 while striking out 8. He was pulled from the game at the start of the eighth inning and replaced by Colin Duffie ([[Milligan College|Milligan]]). Duffie surrendered a leadoff double to Blue Sox [[third baseman]] Jake Rosenbeck ([[University at Buffalo|Buffalo]]) and then gave up at two-run [[home run]] to Murray Watts, making the score 5-3 Mountaineers.
After Duffie retired the Blue Sox to end the eighth, Vermont brought in Kevin Vance ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]) to close the game. Although he gave up a two-out walk to Cooper Blanc ([[University of Utah|Utah]]), Vance retired Jim Wood the end the game, giving Vermont a berth into the NECBL Championship Series.
Vermont's Justin Jackson received the win while Holyoke's Doug Jennings took the loss. Kevin Vance was credited with his first playoff save. Top hitters for Vermont were Steven Rosado (3-4, R, RBI) and Nick Martinez (2-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI). Holyoke's top hitters were Murray Watts (2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Stephen Arcure (2-4, RBI). The game was attended by 1,621 at [[Mackenzie Stadium]].
The game was attended by a total of 2,230 fans, for an average of 1,615 per game.<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/806vmhs.htm HOL v. VER Boxscore 8/6/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 7, 2009</ref>
===East Division===
In the East Division, the Division Final matchup was between #1 Newport and #2 Sanford.<ref name="Playoff Schedule" />
====''Newport vs. Sanford''====
=====Game 1=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 5, 2009|Time=Att.- 2,489|Location=[[Cardines Field]]
|Road='''[[Sanford Mainers]]'''|RoadAbr=SAN
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=3|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=1|R9=0|RR=4|RH=9|RE=1
|Home=[[Newport Gulls]]|HomeAbr=NPT
|H1=1|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=1|H6=0|H7=0|H8=1|H9=0|HR=3|HH=8|HE=3
|WP=Chad O'Connor (0-1)|LP=Brad Mincey (0-1)|SV=Will Clinard (1)
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=
}}
''Sanford leads series 1-0.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Newport Gulls''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 6
| TJ Mittelstaedt
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 8
| Sean Paino
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 4
| Joey Bergman
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 29
| Aaron Westlake
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 26
| Troy Scott
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 9
| Mike Kaminski
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 12
| Tim Smalling
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 10
| Mike Melillo
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 5
| Greg Garcia
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 3
| Brad Mincey
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Sanford Mainers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 3
| Mark Micowski
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 1
| Chris Spatkowski
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 26
| Corey Thompson
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 4
| Mike Roth
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 7
| Matt Marra
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 12
| Tucker Nathans
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 13
| Bob Stumpo
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 25
| Kyle Groth
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 14
| Ethan Wilson
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 18
| Chad O'Connor
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 5, 2009''- The East Division Final Series featured the #1 seeded [[Newport Gulls]] (defeated New Bedford 2-0 in first round) and #2 seeded [[Sanford Mainers]] (defeated North Shore 2-1 in first round). The winner of the [[best-of-three playoff|best-of-three]] series would advance to the NECBL Championship Series. Game 1 was played at [[Cardines Field]] in [[Newport, Rhode Island]]. The starting pitching matchup featured Brad Mincey ([[East Carolina University|East Carolina]]) for Newport and Chad O'Connor ([[University of Virginia|Virginia]]) for Sanford.
Sanford threatened first in the game in the top of the first inning. With one out, Chris Spatkowski ([[Pace University|Pace]]) reached on an error by Newport [[third baseman]] Joey Bergman ([[College of Charleston]]). Spatkowski then stole second with two outs. However, Brad Mincey got Mike Roth ([[University of South Carolina|South Carolina]]) to ground out to end the threat.
Newport was the first team to score, striking in the bottom of the first. After Chad O'Connor recorded two quick outs, Joey Bergman doubled. Aaron Westlake ([[Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt]]) then drove in Bergman with a single, giving Newport an early 1-0 advantage.
Newport threatened again in the bottom of the second. Chad O'Connor again retired the first two batters then allowed a baserunner on a Greg Garcia ([[University of Hawaii|Hawaii]]) walk. Garcia then went first-to-third on a TJ Mittelstaedt ([[Long Beach State University|Long Beach State]]) single. However, O'Connor ended the threat, getting Sean Paino ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) to ground out to [[shortstop]].
Sanford broke out for three runs off of Brad Mincey in the top of the fourth inning. Chris Spatkowski singled and advanced to second on a Joey Bergman error. He was then sacrificed to third base by Corey Thompson ([[East Carolina University|East Carolina]]) and scored on a Mike Roth RBI groundout. A pair of singles by Matt Marra ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) and Tucker Nathans ([[Fairfield University|Fairfield]]) gave the Mainers a pair of baserunners. Both runners scored on a Troy Scott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) error, the third Newport error of the game.
Newport got one run back in the bottom of the fifth. With the bases loaded, Troy Scott hit a ball to left field. Although Joey Bergman was thrown out attempting to advance from second to third, Sean Paino scored from third to make the game 3-2.
The game remained quiet until the Newport seventh. An Aaron Westlake doubled advanced Joey Bergman to third and gave the Gulls two runners in scoring position. Sanford then intentionally walked Troy Scott to load the bases with one out. Newport pinch hit Derek Jones ([[Washington State University|Washington State]]) for Mike Kaminski ([[Virginia Polytechnic University|Virginia Tech]]). Chad O'Connor was able to strike out Jones, then got Tim Smalling ([[Virginia Polytechnic University|Virginia Tech]]) to fly out to right field to escape the jam without surrendering a run.
Sanford extended their lead in the top of the eighth. Geoff Nichols ([[University of Oregon|Oregon]]) came on in relief of Brad Mincey (7.0 IP, 3 R, 1 ER, 6 H, BB, 5 K). Corey Thompson doubled with one out and was later singled in by Matt Marra, giving Sanford a 4-2 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth, Eric Carmichael ([[West Chester University of Pennsylvania|West Chester]]) entered the game in relief of Chad O'Connor (7.0 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 6 BB, 6 K). Mike Melillo singled and reached second on a Kyle Groth ([[Cornell University|Cornell]]) error. Pinch hitter David Bentrott walked ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) and Groth and Bentrott were sacrificed to second and third by TJ Mittelstaedt. Neil Holland ([[University of Louisville|Louisville]]) then entered the game in relief of Carmichael. Holland gave up an RBI groundout to Mike Melillo ([[Elon University|Elon]]). This cut Sanford's lead to 4-3. Holland was able to retire Joey Bergman with the tying run on third, getting him to ground out to second.
Sanford brought in Will Clinard ([[Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt]]) for the ninth inning. Following a leadoff walk to Aaron Westlake, Clinard retired the Gulls in order to give Sanford a 4-3 victory and a 1-0 series lead.
Sanford starter Chad O'Connor was credited with the win, while Newport's Brad Mincey took the loss. Will Clinard earned his first playoff save. Top hitters for Sanford were Chris Spatkowski (2-5, SB, R), Corey Thompson (1-4, 2B, R), and Matt Marra (3-4, SB, R, RBI). Newport's top hitters were Joey Bergman (1-3, SB, 2B, R), Aaron Westlake (2-3, 2 BB, 2B, RBI), and Mike Melillo (2-4, 2B, R). The Gulls left 13 runners on base in the loss. The game was attended by 2,489 at [[Cardines Field]].<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/805smng.htm NPT v. SAN Boxscore 8/5/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 7, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ixk1ZUai Archived] 2009-08-11.</ref>
=====Game 2=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 6, 2009|Time=Att.- 671|Location=[[Goodall Park]]
|Road='''[[Newport Gulls]]'''|RoadAbr=NPT
|R1=5|R2=0|R3=0|R4=3|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=8|RH=11|RE=4
|Home=[[Sanford Mainers]]|HomeAbr=SAN
|H1=1|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=1|H9=0|HR=2|HH=5|HE=3
|WP=Geoff Brown (2-0)|LP=Dustin Ramey (0-1)|SV=
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=
}}
''Series tied 1-1.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Sanford Mainers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 3
| Mark Micowski
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 1
| Chris Spatkowski
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 7
| Matt Marra
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 4
| Mike Roth
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 8
| Doug Elliot
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 12
| Tucker Nathans
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 23
| Adam Matthews
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 25
| Kyle Groth
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 14
| Ethan Wilson
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 10
| Dustin Ramey
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Newport Gulls''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 6
| TJ Mittelstaedt
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 8
| Sean Paino
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 4
| Joey Bergman
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 29
| Aaron Westlake
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 26
| Troy Scott
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 9
| Mike Kaminski
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 10
| Mike Melillo
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 12
| Tim Smalling
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 5
| Greg Garcia
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 22
| Stephen Peterson
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 6, 2009''- Entering Game 2 of the East Division Finals, between #1 [[Newport Gulls|Newport]] and #2 [[Sanford Mainers|Sanford]], the Sanford Mainers held a 1-0 series lead by virtue of their 4-3 road win in Game 1. With a win, Sanford would advance to the NECBL Championship Series. The game, played at [[Goodall Park]] in Sanford, featured a starting pitching matchup of Sanford's Dustin Ramey ([[University of Massachusetts Lowell|UMass Lowell]]) and Newport's Stephen Peterson ([[University of Rhode Island|Rhode Island]]).
Newport's offense exploded for five runs in the top of the first inning. TJ Mittelstaedt ([[Long Beach State University|Long Beach State]]) and Sean Paino ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) both reached to begin the inning. Joey Bergman ([[College of Charleston]]) scored Mittelstaedt to make the score 1-0. Cleanup hitter Aaron Westlake ([[Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt]]) then doubled to right, scoring Paino to make the score 2-0. Troy Scott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) then grounded out to second, scoring Joey Bergman. Aaron Westlake was driven in on an RBI triple by Mike Kaminski ([[Virginia Polytechnic University|Virginia Tech]]), giving Newport a 4-0 lead. Mike Melillo ([[Elon University|Elon]]) scored Kaminksi with a sacrifice fly, ending the scoring in a 5-0 Newport advantage.
Sanford responded in the bottom half of the first. After Chris Spatkowski ([[Pace University|Pace]]) reached on a Tim Smalling ([[Virginia Polytechnic University|Virginia Tech]]) error, Matt Marra ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) tripled to left, cutting Newport's advantage to 5-1.
The game remained quiet until to the Newport fourth. After a Mike Mellilo walk and Greg Garcia's ([[University of Hawaii|Hawaii]]) reaching on an error, Newport had two runners on with one out. TJ Mittelstaedt then singled to right to score Melillo, making the score 6-1. An RBI groundout by Sean Paino scored Garcia and Mittelstaedt scored on a Mike Roth ([[University of South Carolina|South Carolina]]) error, giving the Gulls an 8-1 lead.
Newport threatened in the top of the seventh. Sanford replaced starter Dustin Ramey with Eric Carmichael ([[West Chester University of Pennsylvania|West Chester]]). Aaron Westlake doubled to lead off the frame and Troy Scott walked to give the Gulls two baserunners with no outs. However, Carmichael retired three Newport hitters in order to neutralize the threat.
Sanford got a run back in the bottom of the eighth when [[catcher]] Doug Elliot ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]) scored on a Tim Smalling error, reducing Newport's lead to 8-2.
Sanford's 8-9-1 hitters were retired in order in the bottom of the ninth to give Newport an 8-2 victory, which tied the series at 1-1.
Geoff Brown ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) of Newport got the win, his second of the playoffs, while Dustin Ramey took the loss for Sanford. Newport's top hitters were TJ Mittelstaedt (1-5, SB, 2 R, RBI), Aaron Westlake (2-4, 2B, R, RBI), Troy Scott (3-4, BB, 3B, RBI), and Mike Kaminksi (2-5, 3B, R, RBI). Sanford's top hitter was Matt Marra (1-3, BB, 3B, RBI). The game was attended by 671 at [[Goodall Park]].<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/806ngsm.htm SAN v. NPT Boxscore 8/6/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 7, 2009</ref>
=====Game 3=====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 7, 2009|Time=Att.- 2,570|Location=[[Cardines Field]]
|Road=[[Sanford Mainers]]|RoadAbr=SAN
|R1=1|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=1|RH=11|RE=2
|Home='''[[Newport Gulls]]'''|HomeAbr=NPT
|H1=0|H2=1|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=2|H8=0|H9=X|HR=3|HH=5|HE=2
|WP=Chad Arnold (1-0)|LP=Kyle Davis (2-1)|SV=Matt Branham (1)
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=Alex Kaminski (1) 1 RBI, Derek Jones (1) 1 RBI
}}
''Newport wins series 1-1.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Newport Gulls''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 1
| David Bentrott
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 6
| TJ Mittelstaedt
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 4
| Joey Bergman
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 29
| Aaron Westlake
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 26
| Troy Scott
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 9
| Mike Kaminski
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 10
| Mike Melillo
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 8
| Sean Paino
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 5
| Greg Garcia
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 25
| Dean Wolosiansky
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Sanford Mainers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 3
| Mark Micowski
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 12
| Tucker Nathans
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 7
| Matt Marra
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 4
| Mike Roth
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 8
| Doug Elliot
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 13
| Bob Stumpo
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 23
| Adam Matthews
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 25
| Kyle Groth
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 14
| Ethan Wilson
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 5
| Kyle Davis
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 7, 2009''- Entering Game 3 of the East Division Finals, the series was tied at 1-1. [[Sanford Mainers|Sanford]] had won a tight Game 1 4-3 while [[Newport Gulls|Newport]] took Game 2 by a score of 8-2. Game 3 returned to [[Cardines Field]] in [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]], with a berth in the NECBL Championship Series at stake. The starting pitchers were Dean Wolosiansky ([[Ohio State University|Ohio State]]) for Newport and Kyle Davis ([[University of Massachusetts Lowell|UMass Lowell]]) for Sanford.
Sanford got on the board quickly in the top of the first inning. Mark Micowski ([[University of Vermont|Vermont]]) walked to start the game and later scored when Matt Marra ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) grounded into a fielder's choice. After this, Sanford managed to load the bases with one out for [[catcher]] Bob Stumpo ([[West Chester University of Pennsylvania|West Chester]]). However, Stumpo lined out to Newport [[shortstop]] David Bentrott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]), who threw to [[second baseman]] Greg Garcia ([[University of Hawaii|Hawaii]]) to double off Mike Roth ([[University of South Carolina|South Carolina]]), ending the Sanford rally.
Newport had a scoring chance in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Joey Bergman ([[College of Charleston]]) was hit by a pitch and Aaron Westlake ([[Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt]]) walked to give Newport two baserunners. However, Kyle Davis got Troy Scott to ground out to [[shortstop]] to end the inning.
In the Newport second, Mike Kaminski ([[Virginia Polytechnic University|Virginia Tech]]) hit a solo [[home run]] to tie the game at 1-1. After the home run, however, Newport was retired in order.
Sanford threatened to score in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Kyle Groth ([[Cornell University|Cornell]]) doubled. He advanced to third on an Ethan Wilson ([[Indiana University (Bloomington)|Indiana]]) single. However, Mark Micowski struck out to end the threat.
The Mainers threatened again in the top of the sixth. Newport starter Dean Wolosiansky loaded the bases with one out and was lifted from the game in favor of reliever Chad Arnold ([[Washington State University|Washington State]]). Arnold struck out Mark Micowski and Tucker Nathans ([[Fairfield University|Fairfield]]) to escape the jam, preserving the 1-1 tie.
Newport took the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Derek Jones ([[Washington State University|Washington State]]), who had pinch hit for Sean Paino ([[Le Moyne College|Le Moyne]]) in the fourth, hit a solo [[home run]] to begin the inning. The next batter, Greg Garcia, was hit by a pitch. This drove Sanford starter Kyle Davis from the game. He was replaced by Neil Holland ([[University of Louisville|Louisville]]). Holland loaded the bases with one out, then struck out cleanup hitter Aaron Westlake to record the second out. However, Holland walked Troy Scott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]), which extended the Newport lead to 3-1.
The game remained quiet into the top of the ninth, when Newport brought on Matt Branham ([[University of South Carolina Upstate|SC Upstate]]) to close out the game. After allowing a leadoff single to Mark Micowski, Branham retired the Mainers in order, giving Newport a 3-1 victory and a 2-1 series win.
Newport reliever Chad Arnold received the win while Sanford's Kyle Davis took the loss. Matt Branham was credited with a save. Newport's top hitters were Mike Kaminski (1-4, HR, RBI) and Derek Jones (1-3, HR, RBI). Sanford's top hitters were Matt Marra (1-5, 2B, RBI) and Kyle Groth (3-4, 2B). Sanford had 11 hits on the night but could only score one run. Newport moved on to face the [[Vermont Mountaineers]], champions of the West Division, in the NECBL Championship Series. The game was attended by 2,570 at [[Cardines Field]].
The series was attended by a total of 5,730 fans, for an average of 1,910 per game.<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/807smng.htm NPT v. SAN Boxscore 8/7/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 8, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ixk1yKw3 Archived] 2009-08-11.</ref>
==Championship series==
The Championship Series, the final playoff round, consisted of a matchup between #3 Vermont (West Division champion) and #1 Newport (East Division champion).<ref name="Playoff" /><ref name="Playoff Schedule" />
===''Newport vs. Vermont''===
====Game 1====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 8, 2009|Time=Att.- 2,643|Location=[[Cardines Field]]
|Road=[[Vermont Mountaineers]]|RoadAbr=VER
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=2|R6=0|R7=1|R8=0|R9=0|RR=3|RH=7|RE=1
|Home=[[Newport Gulls]]|HomeAbr=NPT
|H1=0|H2=1|H3=0|H4=0|H5=3|H6=1|H7=2|H8=0|H9=X|HR=7|HH=14|HE=0
|WP=Andrew Kittredge (1-0)|LP=Rob Kumbatovic (0-1)|SV=
|RoadHR=Jantzen Witte (2) 2 RBI|HomeHR=
}}
''Newport leads series 1-0.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Newport Gulls''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 1
| David Bentrott
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 6
| TJ Mittelstaedt
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 4
| Joey Bergman
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 29
| Aaron Westlake
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 26
| Troy Scott
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 9
| Mike Kaminski
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 10
| Mike Melillo
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 19
| Derek Jones
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 12
| Tim Smalling
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 14
| Andrew Kittredge
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Vermont Mountaineers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 22
| Kevin Nieto
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 37
| Steven Felix
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 2
| Henry Dunn
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 15
| Clay Jones
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 23
| Steven Rosado
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 40
| Tadd Bower
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 10
| Kevin Vance
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 8
| Nick Martinez
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 32
| Jantzen Witte
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 38
| Rob Kumbatovic
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 8, 2009''- The [[New England Collegiate Baseball League#Past champions|NECBL Championship Series]] featured the #1 seeded [[Newport Gulls]], representing the East Division, (defeated New Bedford, Sanford) and the #3 seeded [[Vermont Mountaineers]], representing the West Division (defeated North Adams, Holyoke). Newport was making their seventh Finals appearance in search of the franchise's fourth title. Vermont was making their fourth Finals appearance and competing to win the franchise's third title. Game 1 was played at [[Cardines Field]] in [[Newport, Rhode Island]]. The pitching matchup featured Newport's Andrew Kittredge ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) against Vermont's Rob Kumbatovic ([[Hofstra University|Hofstra]]).
The game was scoreless into the bottom of the second. With two outs, Newport [[catcher]] Mike Melillo ([[Elon University|Elon]]) singled in Troy Scott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]), who had doubled earlier in the frame. This gave the Gulls a 1-0 lead.
Both teams threatened in the fourth inning. In the top half, Vermont got two baserunners when Henry Dunn ([[Binghamton University|Binghamton]]) walked and Clay Jones ([[University of Alabama|Alabama]]) was hit by a pitch. However, Rob Kumbatovic retired two batters to escape the jam. In the bottom of the fourth, Aaron Westlake ([[Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt]]) doubled to leadoff the inning. Mike Melillo was later hit by a pitch, giving the Gulls a pair of two-out baserunners. However, Derek Jones ([[Washington State University|Washington State]]) grounded out to end the inning and the Newport threat.
Vermont took the lead in the top of the fifth. Nick Martinez ([[Fordham University|Fordham]]) singled with one out. [[Jantzen Witte]] ([[Texas Christian University|TCU]]) followed Martinez
with a two-run [[home run]], giving Vermont a 2-1 advantage.
Newport quickly answered in the bottom of the fifth. A Tim Smalling ([[Virginia Polytechnic University|Virginia Tech]]) double and David Bentrott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) single gave the Gulls a pair of baserunners. Smalling then scored on a wild pitch, which also advanced Bentrott to second. Joey Bergman ([[College of Charleston]]) singled to score Bentrott and later scored on a Troy Scott RBI single. After another Newport hit, Austin Evans ([[University of Alabama|Alabama]]) came on in relief of Rob Kumbatovic. Evans got Mike Melillo to strike out, ending the inning. Newport now held a 4-2 lead.
Newport added another run in the sixth. An RBI double by TJ Mittelstaedt ([[Long Beach State University|Long Beach State]]) scored David Bentrott to give the Gulls a 5-2 lead.
Vermont responded in the top of the seventh. Kevin Vance led off the frame with a double, and later scored with two outs on a wild pitch. This cut Newport's edge to 5-3.
Colin Duffie ([[Milligan College|Milligan]]) came on in relief for the Mountaineers in the bottom of the seventh. He surrendered back-to-back doubles to by Troy Scott and Mike Kaminski ([[Virginia Polytechnic University|Virginia Tech]]), which extended Newport's lead to 6-3. Later in the inning, Newport gained a 7-3 lead when Kaminski scored on an error by Vermont [[shortstop]] Jantzen Witte.
In the top of the eighth, Newport starter Andrew Kittredge was replaced by Geoff Nichols ([[University of Oregon|Oregon]]). Kittredge went 7.0 innings, giving up 3 ER on 6 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 12. Brown allowed only one baserunner in two innings of shutout relief, giving Newport a 7-3 victory and 1-0 series lead.
Andrew Kittredge was credited with the win, while Vermont's Rob Kumbatovic took the loss. Newport's top hitters were David Bentrott (2-5, SB, 2 R), Troy Scott (3-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI), and Mike Kaminski (3-5, 2B, R, RBI). Vermont's top hitters were Kevin Vance ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]) (2-4, 2B, RBI) and Jantzen Witte (2-3, HR, RBI). The game was attended by 2,643 at [[Cardines Field]].<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/808vmng.htm NPT v. VER Boxscore 8/8/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 9, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5ixk2MIQW Archived] 2009-08-11.</ref>
====Game 2====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 9, 2009|Time=Att.- 2,247|Location=[[Montpelier Recreation Field]]
|Road=[[Newport Gulls]]|RoadAbr=NPT
|R1=0|R2=1|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=2|R9=0|RR=3|RH=3|RE=2
|Home=[[Vermont Mountaineers]]|HomeAbr=VER
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=2|H9=2|HR=4|HH=9|HE=2
|WP=Kevin Vance (1-0)|LP=Matt Branham (0-1)|SV=
|RoadHR=Aaron Westlake (2) 1 RBI|HomeHR=
}}
''Series tied 1-1.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Vermont Mountaineers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 2
| Henry Dunn
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 37
| Steven Felix
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 22
| Kevin Nieto
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 15
| Clay Jones
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 27
| Ethan Paquette
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 10
| Kevin Vance
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 17
| Jayson Hernandez
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 8
| Nick Martinez
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 32
| Jantzen Witte
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 28
| Brad Altback
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Newport Gulls''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 12
| Tim Smalling
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 6
| TJ Mittelstaedt
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 4
| Joey Bergman
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 29
| Aaron Westlake
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 26
| Troy Scott
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 9
| Mike Kaminski
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 10
| Mike Melillo
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 19
| Derek Jones
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 5
| Greg Garcia
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 23
| Will Roberts
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 9, 2009''- Entering Game 2 of the NECBL Championship Series, [[Newport Gulls|Newport]] held a 1-0 series lead over [[Vermont Mountaineers|Vermont]]. With a win, Newport would clinch the NECBL title. Game 2 was played at [[Montpelier Recreation Field]] in [[Montpelier, Vermont]]. The starting pitching matchup featured Vermont's Brad Altback ([[Bradley University|Bradley]]) against Newport's Will Roberts ([[University of Virginia|Virginia]]).
Newport took an early lead in the top of the second inning. After Newport had been retired in order in the first, cleanup hitter Aaron Westlake ([[Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt]]) led off the inning with a [[home run]] to give Newport a 1-0 lead.
Vermont threatened to get on the board in the bottom of the second. Clay Jones ([[University of Alabama|Alabama]]) and Ethan Paquette ([[University of Vermont|Vermont]]) were both hit by pitches to begin the inning, giving the Mountaineers a pair of baserunners. An error by Gulls shortstop David Bentrott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) on a Jayson Hernandez ([[Rutgers University|Rutgers]]) ground ball loaded the bases with one out. Nick Martinez ([[Fordham University|Fordham]]) then hit a fly ball to center, upon which Jones tagged and attempted to score. However, Newport center fielder TJ Mittelstaedt ([[Long Beach State University|Long Beach State]]) threw out Jones at the plate to preserve the 1-0 Newport lead.
Vermont rallied again in the bottom of the third. After a pair of groundouts gave Will Roberts two quick outs, Steven Felix ([[Troy University|Troy]]) singled to right field. An error and an infield single then loaded the bases with Mountaineers. However, Ethan Paquette flied out to center to end the frame.
The Mountaineers threatened yet again in the bottom of the fourth. Kevin Vance ([[University of Connecticut|UConn]]) singled to lead off the inning but was thrown out by Newport left fielder Derek Jones ([[Washington State University|Washington State]]) when he tried to get to second. A pair of singles, though, gave the Mountaineers a pair of one-out baserunners who advanced to second and third, respectively, on a groundout. However, Henry Dunn ([[Binghamton University|Binghamton]]) flied out to end the threat.
The game remained quiet into the top of the eighth, when reliever Justin Jackson ([[Sam Houston State University|Sam Houston State]]) entered the game for Vermont. Jackson walked Greg Garcia ([[University of Hawaii|Hawaii]]), who was bunted to second by David Bentrott. TJ Mittelstaedt then tripled to score Garcia, giving Newport a 2-0 edge. Later in the inning, Aaron Westlake hit a sacrifice fly to score Mittelstaedt and give Newport a 3-0 lead.
Vermont got on the board in the bottom half of the eighth. After Newport reliever Chad Arnold ([[Washington State University|Washington State]]) loaded the bases with one out, the Gulls brought on Geoff Brown ([[University of Washington|Washington]]). The first batter he faced, Nick Martinez, recahed on a fielder's choice to score Ethan Paquette. Newport then made another pitching change, this time bringing in closer Matt Branham ([[University of South Carolina Upstate|SC Upstate]]). Branham relinquished a run on an RBI single by Jantzen Witte ([[Texas Christian University|TCU]]) but then retired Henry Dunn to end the inning.
Newport was retired in order in the top of the ninth, but still held a 3-2 lead and was three outs away from the NECBL title.
Newport closer Matt Branham came back out for the ninth after ending the eighth inning for the Gulls. Steven Felix doubled to lead off the inning and was pinch run for by Kevin Nieto ([[Manhattan College|Manhattan]]). Branham then retired Steven Rosado ([[Troy University|Troy]]) and Cody Morehouse ([[University of Houston|Houston]]) for two outs in the inning. Branham then surrendered a pair of walks to load the bases with two outs for Jayson Hernandez. Hernandez then walked to score Nieto, tying the game at 3-3. Now with the winning run on second, Nick Martinez came to the plate. Martinez then struck out, but the ball skipped to the backstop, allowing Ethan Paquette to score, giving Vermont a 4-3 walk-off win.
Newport immediately disputed the call, claiming that the ball was foul-tipped. However, the umpiring crew began to run off the field. As words were exchanged between the dugouts, both benches emptied onto the field. As each team's general managers ran onto the field to separate the players, Newport's manager, Mike Coombs, was ejected. His ejection resulted in his suspension for Game 3 the following night.<ref name="ejection">[http://www.necbl.com/press/vermont233.htm Mountaineers' Wild Walkoff Forces Game Three] at necbl.com, URL accessed November 19, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5lPklwlVc Archived] 11/19/09</ref>
Vermont's Kevin Vance got the win, while Newport's Matt Branham was credited with the loss. Vermont's top hitters were Steven Felix (2-4, 2B) and Kevin Vance (2-4, BB, SB, R). Newport's top hitters were TJ Mittelstaedt (1-3, BB, 3B, R, RBI) and Aaron Westlake (1-4, HR, 2 RBI). The game was attended by 2,247 at [[Montpelier Recreation Field]].<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/809ngvm.htm VER v. NPT Boxscore 8/9/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 9, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5j0v6g4Uu Archived] 2009-08-14.</ref>
====Game 3====
{{Linescore|Compact=yes|Header=yes|Stats=yes
|Date=August 10, 2009|Time=Att.- 3,575|Location=[[Cardines Field]]
|Road=[[Vermont Mountaineers]]|RoadAbr=VER
|R1=0|R2=1|R3=3|R4=0|R5=2|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=6|RH=10|RE=0
|Home=[[Newport Gulls]]|HomeAbr=NPT
|H1=1|H2=1|H3=3|H4=2|H5=1|H6=0|H7=4|H8=0|H9=X|HR=12|HH=16|HE=4
|WP=Brad Mincey (1-1)|LP=Alex Kaminsky (1-1)|SV=Geoff Brown (1)
|RoadHR=Clay Jones (2) 1 RBI|HomeHR=Troy Scott (1) 3 RBI, Mike Melillo (1) 1 RBI
}}
''Newport wins championship 2-1.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Starting Lineups'''<br>
''Newport Gulls''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 1
| David Bentrott
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 6
| TJ Mittelstaedt
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 4
| Joey Bergman
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 29
| Aaron Westlake
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 26
| Troy Scott
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 9
| Mike Kaminski
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 10
| Mike Melillo
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 19
| Derek Jones
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 5
| Greg Garcia
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 3
| Brad Mincey
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
''Vermont Mountaineers''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''BO'''
! '''#'''
! '''Player'''
! '''Pos.'''
|-
| '''1'''
| 2
| Henry Dunn
| [[Center fielder|CF]]
|-
| '''2'''
| 37
| Steven Felix
| [[Right fielder|RF]]
|-
| '''3'''
| 15
| Clay Jones
| [[Designated hitter|DH]]
|-
| '''4'''
| 23
| Steven Rosado
| [[Left fielder|LF]]
|-
| '''5'''
| 27
| Ethan Paquette
| [[First baseman|1B]]
|-
| '''6'''
| 10
| Kevin Vance
| [[Third baseman|3B]]
|-
| '''7'''
| 17
| Jayson Hernandez
| [[Catcher|C]]
|-
| '''8'''
| 8
| Nick Martinez
| [[Second baseman|2B]]
|-
| '''9'''
| 32
| Jantzen Witte
| [[Shortstop|SS]]
|-
| '''-'''
| 35
| Alex Kaminsky
| [[Pitcher|P]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Clear}}
{{clear}}
'''Game Summary'''<br>
''August 10, 2009''- After two games, the NECBL Championship Series was tied at 1-1, forcing a decisive Game 3 between the [[Newport Gulls]] and [[Vermont Mountaineers]]. Game 3 was played at [[Cardines Field]] in [[Newport, Rhode Island]]. It was the first deciding game three played in an NECBL Championship Series since [[2004 NECBL season|2004]], when [[Sanford Mainers|Sanford]] defeated Newport. The pitching matchup was between Newport's Brad Mincey ([[East Carolina University|East Carolina]]) and Vermont's Alex Kaminksy ([[Wright State University|Wright State]]).
Newport scored first in the bottom of the first inning. David Bentrott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and later stole second with two outs. Five-hitter Troy Scott ([[University of Washington|Washington]]) then singled Bentrott in to give the Gulls a 1-0 lead.
Vermont quickly answered in the top of the second. Steven Rosado ([[Troy University|Troy]]) walked to lead off the inning. Then, on a ball hit to Newport third baseman Joey Bergman, the Gulls attempted to turn a double play. Bergman's throw did not get Rosado at second, but did retire the hitter Ethan Paquette ([[University of Vermont|Vermont]]) at first. Rosado was then singled in by Jayson Hernandez ([[Rutgers University|Rutgers]]), to tie the game at 1-1.
Newport quickly retook the lead in the top of the seventh. [[Catcher]] Mike Melillo ([[Elon University|Elon]]) hit a solo [[home run]] to lead off the inning, giving Newport a 2-1 edge. A pair of singles gave Newport runners on first and third with one out, but Alex Kaminsky got TJ Mittelstaedt ([[Long Beach State University|Long Beach State]]) to fly out to [[right fielder]] Steven Felix ([[Troy University|Troy]]), who threw out Greg Garcia ([[University of Hawaii|Hawaii]]) at the plate to end the inning.
Vermont took the lead in the top of the third. Henry Dunn ([[Binghamton University|Binghamton]]) led off the inning with an infield single and advanced to third base on an error by [[pitcher]] Brad Mincey. After Clay Jones ([[University of Alabama|Alabama]]) was hit by a pitch, Steven Rosado singled in Dunn. An error by [[shortstop]] David Bentrott allowed Jones to score and Rosado was driven in on a Jayson Hernandez single. This gave the Mountaineers a 4-2 lead.
Newport answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Joey Bergman ([[College of Charleston]]) and Aaron Westlake ([[Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt]]) each singled to start the inning, bringing up Troy Scott. Scott then hit a three run [[home run]] to give Newport a 5-4 advantage. Vermont starter Alex Kaminsky struck out Mike Kaminski ([[Virginia Polytechnic University|Virginia Tech]]) but then hit Mike Melillo and walked Derek Jones ([[Washington State University|Washington State]]). He was pulled from the game and replaced by Andrew Benak ([[Rice University|Rice]]), who got the Mountaineers out of the inning. After the third, Tim Smalling ([[Virginia Polytechnic University|Virginia Tech]]) replaced Joey Bergman at [[third base]] for Newport. Bergman had suffered a hand injury the previous inning.
Newport extended their lead in the bottom half of the fourth. TJ Mittelstaedt singled to lead off the inning and was driven in on a Tim Smalling RBI triple. Smalling later scored on a Mike Kaminski single to give the Gulls a 7-4 lead.
Vermont answered in the fifth. Clay Jones hit a solo [[home run]] to lead off the inning, cutting Newport's lead to 7-5. The following batter, Steven Rosado, singled and eventually stole second. Nick Martinez ([[Fordham University|Fordham]]) singled Rosado in with a two out RBI single, making the score 7-6 Gulls.
Tim Smalling got another RBI in the home half of the sixth. The Newport [[third baseman]] singled in Greg Garcia, who had walked earlier in the frame, to extend Newport's edge to 8-6.
The game remained quiet until the Newport seventh, when the Gulls scored four times. After Newport loaded the bases with one out, Troy Scott walked to score David Bentrott. This drove Vermont reliever Andrew Benak from the game in favor of Colin Duffie ([[Milligan College|Milligan]]). However, Duffie surrendered a walk to Mike Kaminski, giving Newport another run. Mike Melillo followed with a single to drive in Aaron Westlake. Newport got another run on an RBI groundout by Derek Jones, driving the Gulls' lead to 12-6.
Newport reliever Geoff Brown pitched four innings of shutout relief, allowing only one hit in four innings after replacing Brad Mincey in the sixth. In the ninth, Brown retired Cody Morehouse ([[University of Houston|Houston]]) and Steven Rosado for the first two outs. He then struck out Ethan Paquette to give the Gulls the NECBL Championship.
Newport starter Brad Mincey got the win, evening his playoff record at 1-1. Alex Kaminsky suffered the loss, while Newport's Geoff Brown was credited with a save. Newport's top hitters were Tim Smalling (3-4, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI), Troy Scott (2-3, 2 BB, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI), and Mike Melillo (3-4, HR, 2 RBI). Vermont's top hitters in the loss were Clay Jones (1-3, HR, 2 R, RBI), Steven Rosado (2-4, BB, SB, 3 R, RBI), and Jayson Hernandez (2-3, 2 RBI). The game was attended by 3,575 at [[Cardines Field]].
Newport's NECBL title was the franchise's fourth, making them the winningest team in NECBL history. It was the team's first title since [[2005 NECBL season|2005]]. 2009 marked the third straight year the Gulls had participated in the Championship Series. The series was attended by 8,465 fans, for an average of 2,822 per game.<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/810vmng.htm NPT v. VER Boxscore 8/10/09] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 10, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5j0v74zbc Archived] 2009-08-14.</ref>
==Attendance==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Rank
! Team
! Openings
! Total
! Game Avg
|-
| '''1'''
| [[Newport Gulls]]
| 5
| 12,749
| 2,550
|-
| '''2'''
| [[Vermont Mountaineers]]
| 3
| 6,968
| 2,323
|-
| '''3'''
| [[Holyoke Blue Sox]]
| 2
| 4,231
| 2,116
|-
| '''4'''
| [[Keene Swamp Bats]]
| 2
| 2,679
| 1,340
|-
| '''5'''
| [[New Bedford Bay Sox]]
| 1
| 1,111
| 1,111
|-
| '''6'''
| [[North Adams SteepleCats]]
| 1
| 872
| 872
|-
| '''7'''
| [[North Shore Navigators]]
| 1
| 725
| 725
|-
| '''8'''
| [[Sanford Mainers]]
| 3
| 1,622
| 541
|-
| '''Total'''
| '''NECBL'''
| '''18'''
| '''30,957'''
| '''1,720'''
|}
<ref>[http://www.necbl.com/2009playoffstats/confstat.HTM 2009 Playoff Statistics] at necbl.com, URL accessed August 13, 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5j5IjxCH8 Archived] 2009-08-16.</ref>
==External links==
*[http://www.necbl.com/ NECBL website]
==References==
<references/>
{{NECBL playoffs}}
{{NECBL}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2009 Necbl Playoffs}}
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