Offense carries Tides

The Northeast Tides posted a five-inning mercy rule victory over the Nor’Easters of Rowley, Mass.

The tidal winds started to pick up early at Eiras Park. The Tides took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Will MacLean and a bases loaded walk to Axel Post.

With two outs and a 0-2 count on the next Tides hitter, the Nor’Easters were prepared to evacuate the first inning with only minor damage.

Well, the first year Tide from Bedford, Michael Pratte, decided the first waves of the storm were not quite ready to subside just yet. Down in the count, Pratte singled to center to score both MacLean and Austin Bequeath which led the Tides to a quick 4-0 advantage.

In his third regular season start of the season, 6-foot-7 righty Matt Bergeron aggressively pounded the zone with first-pitch strikes all evening, leaving the Rowley hitters on the defensive. Bergeron departed the mound after pitching four innings. He allowed one hit, walked one and struck out four.

With the win, Matt improved to 8-0 in his Tides career. His eight wins account for 44 percent of the total wins that the Northeast Tides have had since they started in the NSBL last season.

The Tides added two more runs in the top of the fourth to take a 6-0 lead.

That would set the stage for an exceptional inning in the top of the fifth when the Tides offense engaged in a ferocious barrage of hard line drives and gap shots, pelting all areas of Eiras Park.

Max Malila’s RBI single made the score 7-0. Malila promptly stole second and then scored easily on Cam MacDonald’s double to the gap in left center.

After another single by MacLean and another walk to Bequeath to load the bases, the Tides Zach Fletcher joined the hit parade. Fletcher lined a RBI single to left field to make the score 9-0.

Post was next and delivered with a two-run double down the left field line, which led to the 11-0 lead and final score.

Tides closer Harrison Lendrum ended the game by pitching a scoreless frame while striking out two Rowley hitters.

With the win, the Tides ended a two-game skid and improved to 6-2 on the season.

Northeast will be back at it Saturday with their highly anticipated rematch with the Kingston Night Owls who stand at 5-2. The game is at Keay Field in East Rochester with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.