Waves Break Through with First Two Homers of Summer Against Mainers

After earning a 3-1 victory over the Vermont Mountaineers in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader, the Ocean State Waves looked to carry that momentum into Monday night's matchup against the Sanford Mainers. Despite a late offensive surge that included the team's first two home runs of the season, the Waves fell 15-7.

Dylan Causey got the start on the mound for Ocean State, while Sanford sent out starter Aidan Smith. Entering the game, Mainers shortstop Troy Carpenter had recently been named NECBL Player of the Week after recording 10 hits in seven games.

Sanford struck first in the top of the first. After Causey issued a pair of walks, the Mainers capitalized on the batters on bases and pushed across the game's first run.

The Waves had an opportunity to answer in the bottom half of the inning after drawing two walks, but a caught stealing and an inning-ending double play prevented them from getting on the board.

The Mainers extended their lead in the second inning when Jacob Harring delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded, giving Sanford a 3-0 advantage.

Ocean State responded in the bottom of the second. Brodey Bitove lined an RBI single that scored Gabriel Milano from second base, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

Causey remained strong on the mound during the third inning, striking out two batters and working around a baserunner to keep the Waves within striking distance. However, Ocean State was unable to generate any offense in the bottom half despite Max Farrell reaching base and stealing second.

The game turned in the fourth inning after the Waves went to the bullpen. Sanford broke things open with a five-run frame, extending its lead to 8-1.

The Waves managed to answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning when Gray Eubanks drove in a run, cutting the deficit to 8-2.

Both teams were held scoreless in the fifth before the Waves threatened again in the sixth. With the bases loaded, Cameron Papetti delivered an RBI single that scored Farrell and made it an 8-3 game.

Sanford continued to add more runs in the seventh, taking advantage of miscommunications from the Waves' offense to score three more runs and increase its lead.

Tommy Meluskey recorded a double in the bottom of the inning, but the Waves were unable to bring him home.

The Mainers added another run in the eighth before breaking the game open further, stretching their advantage to 15-3.

Despite the deficit, the Waves showed life in the bottom of the eighth. Papetti launched a solo home run, the Waves' first home run of the season, providing a spark for the offense.

After Sanford was held scoreless in the ninth, the Waves mounted one final rally. Justin Hackett drove in Charlie Saul with an RBI single before Bitove crushed a three-run homer, giving the Waves their second home run of the season.

Although the Waves were unable to overcome Sanford's offensive outburst, the late power display offered an encouraging sign. Papetti and Bitove's home runs marked the first two long balls of the season for Ocean State and highlighted an offense that has shown improvement in recent games.

Up next, the Waves travel to North Adams, Massachusetts, to take on the North Adams SteepleCats. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.