Bats lead Groton to big win over Rivers

Groton exploded for 8 runs in the first two innings on their way to a 12-2 victory over visiting Rivers. Groton’s 3 through 6 hitters – Bennett Smith, Shane Kim, Thomas Dempsey, and Robbie Long - all collected multiple hits, combining for 8 runs and 7 RBIs on the day. After a quick top half of the first by Kim, who started on the mound, Groton plated three runs in the bottom half. Drew Burke and Smith both walked, then Dempsey lined a two out single to left to plate Burke. Smith would score on a double steal, then Josh Nam singled in Dempsey.

 

Rivers would get a run back in the second on a hit by pitch, walk, and error, but Groton kept up their clutch ways in the bottom half. After a sac fly by Luke Beckstein scored Burke, who had walked again, Groton took advantage of a pair of errors and hits by Kim, Dempsey, and Long to add on another four runs with two outs.

 

Kim pitched out of trouble in the fourth and almost did so again in the fifth, but a bases loaded single plated Rivers’ last run on the day. Groton once again answered in the bottom half, taking advantage of two hit batters, a walk, and RBI singles by Kim and Long to push the lead to 9 runs. Back to back doubles by Beckstein and Smith with two out in the 6^th would close out the game.

 

Kim earned the win with 5 solid innings on the mound, with AJ Colarusso throwing a scoreless sixth. Dempsey and Long both finished 3 for 3 on the day, while Smith was 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles and Kim went 2 for 4.

 

Groton moves into its final week of the season with an 8-5 record in the ISL and 9-6 record overall.