Local scoreboard: Andrew Leblanc gives North County another walk-off win, splits doubleheader against Main South
Andrew Leblanc's RBI single drove in Edwin Santana with the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the North County American Legion Post 129 baseball team collected its second walk-off victory over the week, 13-12, over Main South in the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader at Tivnan Field in Worcester.
After Main South scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to walk-off with a 3-2 win in the opening game of the twinbill, North County scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh of Game 2 to force extra innings.
After a scoreless top of the eighth, Santana provided Post 129 (4-17) with an immediate scoring opportunity as he walked and stole second base. Leblanc's base hit brought Santana to the plate and finished off a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish for the Leominster High outfielder.
Jameson Carroll added two hits and two runs scored for North County, while Patrick Forbes doubled, drove in two runs and scored twice, including during Post 129's seventh-inning rally. Max Hytinen, Shane Lindemuth and William Vargo III added an RBI each for North County as well.
Lindemuth picked up the win on the mound for Post 129 as he was the pitcher of record when Leblanc drove in Santana with the game-winning run. The Gardner High graduate pitched two-thirds of an inning of relief in the top of the eighth and did not allow a run or a hit and struck out one.
North County fell behind early in the second game of the doubleheader as Main South (8-11) grabbed a run in the top of the first inning against Post 129 starter Jayson Pitts.
But North County scored twice in the bottom half of the frame to take a 2-1 lead before tacking on eight more runs in the third to build a 10-1 lead.
Main South countered with a run in the fourth, nine runs in the fifth and an additional run in the seventh to set the scene for North County's come-from-behind win.
In the opener, Post 129 scored a run in the second and another in the top of the seventh to take a 2-0 lead into Main South's final at-bat, but the visitors were unable to take their lead across the finish line as the home team rallied for three runs and the victory.
Carroll's hot day at the plate began in the opener as he had three hits, including a double, and drove in a run, while Santana also doubled and had an RBI for North County.
Martin Newmaire deserved a better fate in the opener as the Leominster High product held Main South scoreless for 5 2/3 innings before departing the mound and ultimately taking a no-decision. He scattered just four hits and struck out one while walking two and hitting one batter.
North County will close out the season on Saturday against Leominster Post 151 at McLaughlin Park in Leominster. Game time is scheduled for 11 a.m.