By: Shannon Bickert

The Schooners dropped just their second road game of the summer to the Sanford Mainers on Sunday, July 12 by a 4-1 final score. Mystic moved to 17-11 on the summer with the loss.

Jack Harley (Stetson) started off the Schooners with a single to center field. Bryson Thacker (FIU) got out of the inning, inducing a double play and strikeout.

Connor Shaw (SDSU) got his first start of the season for the Schooners. Shaw hit the first batter he faced, Jake Harring (Salve Regina). Harring swiped second and advanced to third on an overthrow, setting up Brian Connolly (URI) for an RBI single.

Joel Collado (URI) hit an infield single and advanced to second on an error with two outs in the second. Thacker kept the Schooners scoreless, dealing his second strikeout of the day.

Shaw tossed a three-up, three-down third inning of work.

The Mainers added to their lead in the fourth. The Schooners made their first call to the bullpen to Luke Trout (Brown). Jake Tate (SJU) led off the frame with a single and Nater Watcher (UConn) followed with a walk. Tate came in to score on a throwing error, giving Sanford the 2-0 lead.

Collado broke Thatcher's strand of eight consecutive Schooner’s retired, drawing a walk. Mystic was unable to capitalize with their first runner in over two innings.

The Mainers capitalized on the Schooners mistakes again in the fifth. Steven Krause (Binghamton) reached on an error and advanced to third on a wild pitch, setting up Tate for an RBI single.

Ian Mowad (SJU) took the mound for the Mainers in the sixth inning. Christian Butera (Brown) led off the frame with a walk, but Mowad kept the shutout intact.

Colby Correia (Endicott) made his Schooners debut, pitching in the sixth inning. Troy Carpenter (CCU) led off the frame with a single, and Dom Tozzi (CCU) followed with a walk. A balk moved both runners into scoring position, setting the table for Harring’s sacrifice fly, giving Sanford a four-run lead.

Anthony Ruggiero (URI) led off the seventh inning with a single to right field, but Mowad and the Mainer’s defense were able to hold the Schooners.

In his second inning of work, Correia dealt a scoreless frame, allowing a walk to Krause.

The Mainers turned to Ben Griffith (Binghamton) in the eighth inning. Collado led off the frame with a double to left field for Mystic’s first extra-base hit of the afternoon. Collado advanced to third on a wild pitch, and Gavin O’Brien worked a four-pitch walk. Butera ended the shutout bid with a sacrifice fly.

Justin Gouin (Hartford) took the hill in the bottom of the eighth for the Schooners. Gouin tossed a 1-2-3 inning.

Sam Young (Richmond) retired the Schooners in order, sealing the win.

The Schooners are back in action Monday, July 13 at Danbury. First pitch is set for 6:30 pm.