CRVBL: Polar Bears bite Fossils in the 9th

NEWPORT, NH - Mike Saindan's single up the middle in the bottom of the 9th inning drove in a run and gave the Newport Polar Bears a walk-off 8-7 win over the Putney Fossils.

Newport jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the second inning, but Putney fought back with single runs in the 3rd and 4th, then tied it at 6-6 with three in the top of the 5th. Newport took the lead 7-6 in the bottom of the same inning and held it until the 8th. Putney catcher Steve "Stanley Steamer" Stanley tied the game with one swing of the bat, a deep blast far over the right field fence. Stanley was the offensive machine of the game going 4-for-4 with a double, home run, stolen base, 3 runs, and 2 RBIs.

Consecutive singles by Polar Bears Eric Lemay and Adam Kimball, followed by a hit batsman with one out set the stage for Saindan's (2-for-3, walk, hit-by-pitch, RBI) dramatic game-ender. Sean Lantas and Kimball had two hits each for Newport and Bob Bates went the distance on the mound for the win.

Putney's O'Brien brothers, Bruce and Sean, had two hits each for the Fossils. Richard "Terminator" Bissell pitched very well in 7-plus innings of relief, but took the tough loss.

This Sunday the Fossils host Walpole at 10:00 AM at Dummerston School Field. For more information visit www.crvbl.org.