WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Sanford Mainers made an improbable comeback in the latter half of Tuesday night’s game against upper Valley, but couldn’t find the timely hit as they fell 9-7. The bottom half of the order for the Moose came alive offensively, scoring five of the seven runs.

Nick Wojtysiak (Fountain Hills, CA) made his third start on the mound for the Mainers, picking up the eventual loss after 2.2 innings pitched. The Mainers would see five total pitchers in the ball game, but would only give up one run in the final five innings. David Hoar III (Peabody, MA), Ian Burns (Westport, CT), Jake Dexter (Oakland, ME) and Connor Johnson (Taunton, ME) would all see innings on the hill.

The Mainers would get the offense rolling in the six, when Shaine Hughes would drive in two runs in his first RBI performance of the year. After pushing two more runs in the seventh, the Mainers would load the bases. Ryan Hogan (Kingston, PA) would drive a ball to the deepest part of Maxfield Sports Complex, but the warning track bomb would keep the score at 8-4.

After JT Pittman (Ashland, MA) reached on base for the second time in the 8th, an RBI single from Riley Pittman (Fort Worth, TX) would bring it to a 8-5 deficit. Another RBI off the bat of Carmine Pagano (McLeansville, NC) would cut it to two, but the Mainers couldn’t push across any more. 

After giving up a run in the 8th, Sanford would get the leadoff man aboard via error. Shaine Hughes would reach second on a pass ball, and would be later driven in on a sacrifice fly from JT Pittman. The Moose would put up seven runs in the last three innings of play, but could not find an equalizer as Riley Pittman recorded the last out. 

Sanford opens up a six-game home stand starting Thursday, as they take on the Mystic Schooners at 6:30 p.m.

The Mainers fall to 2-9 on the season and remain in last place in the NECBL North standings. Upper Valley imrpoved to 9-2 with the win and retain sole possession of first place in the North.