KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The SwampBats pulled out a tie in today’s game against the Upper Valley Nighthawks thanks to the speed in the lineup and the power of the pitchers.

Aiden O’Connell (Duke) got his first start today for the SwampBats and pitched four total innings, only allowing two hits and zero runs.

In that time, Keene was able to take advantage and scored their first run in the bottom of the fourth, opening the scoring and taking the the lead 1-0. It was Micha Kendrick (Kansas State) who hit a single to center field and scored on a sacrifice fly by Collin Anderson (Duke).

The game would remain 1-0, the SwampBats pitchers standing tall, until the sixth inning where a hit-by-pitch and a walk by Joe Olson (Louisville) would give the Upper Valley Nighthawks two base runners. Andrew Lepine (University of Central Florida) came into pitch for Keene and a double by Charley Magoulick would score both runners and allow Upper Valley to take the lead.

But just like Keene has done all year, the team was unphased by needing to come back, and it was Jackson Smith (Cincinnati) who would score the tying run for Keene. After getting hit by the pitch in the top of the seventh Smith would steal second and advance to third on a wild pitch to put himself in scoring position for Jackson Marshall.  Jackson Marshall sacrifice flied out to center field and Smith scored to tie the game.

Lepine stayed in the game for Keene, going 4.1 innings, taking the team all the way to extra’s. One out into the 10th, Nate Bassett (University of Virginia), came into pitch for Keene, both veterans of the team having great outings. Bassett kept Upper Valley scoreless in the 10th and brought Keene up to the plate.

In the bottom of the tenth, Keene loaded the bases with two hit by pitches but were unable to score a runner taking the game to 11 innings.

Upper Valley’s Tim Dickinson, in the top of the 11th singled to right center with two outs and scored the go-ahead runner that was placed on second.

Keene, down a run, utilized Smith’s speed again as he made it to first on a fielder’s choice and scored on a Luke Boykin (Samford) double to tie the game. However, with two outs, Keene was unable to score another run and ended the game in a tie.

Keene is still undefeated and will play their next game at home this evening against the North Shore Navigators, first pitch at 6:35 p.m.