KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – As the 2024 regular season comes to a close, the Keene SwampBats are gearing up for a best-of-three first-round series against the Sanford Mainers in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) playoffs. The SwampBats, who are in pursuit of their sixth league championship, will begin the series on Thursday in Sanford, Maine, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Game 2 will take place in Keene on Friday, also at 6:30 p.m., and if necessary, a decisive Game 3 will be held back in Sanford on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Adding to the excitement of Friday’s home game, SwampBats outfielder Andrew Wiggins will perform the national anthem on the saxophone.

2024 NECBL Playoff Picture

With the regular season wrapped up, the final standings have been determined after a tight race. The quarterfinal matchups, set to begin on Thursday, August 1, are as follows:

Quarterfinal Matchups:

  • #8 Vineyard vs. #1 Vermont
    • Game 1: Vineyard at Vermont, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
    • Game 2: Vermont at Vineyard, 6:30 p.m. (NECBL Network)
    • Game 3 (if necessary): Vineyard at Vermont, 6:30 p.m. (NECBL Network)
  • #7 Valley vs. #2 Newport
    • Game 1: Valley at Newport, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
    • Game 2: Newport at Valley, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
    • Game 3 (if necessary): Valley at Newport, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • #6 Mystic vs. #3 Bristol
    • Game 1: Mystic at Bristol, 6:30 p.m. (NECBL Network)
    • Game 2: Bristol at Mystic, 6:30 p.m. (NECBL Network)
    • Game 3 (if necessary): Mystic at Bristol, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • #5 Keene vs. #4 Sanford
    • Game 1: Keene at Sanford, 6:30 p.m. (NECBL Network)
    • Game 2: Sanford at Keene, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
    • Game 3 (if necessary): Keene at Sanford, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Upcoming Rounds

The semifinal round will kick off on Sunday, August 4, with matchups determined by the best and lowest remaining seeds. The championship series is slated to begin on Wednesday, August 7.

Playoff Notes

Postseason games will not utilize the international tiebreaker rule. Extra innings will follow traditional guidelines without starting a runner on second base. Further details on postseason rules can be found in the NECBL’s Playing Guidelines online.