North Adams, Mass. - The North Adams SteepleCats defeated the Keene Swamp Bats 12-7 Saturday night at Joe Wolfe Field. Both starting pitchers were knocked out of the game early but the SteepleCats bullpen came up big. The SteepleCats bullpen allowed just one run on five hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings. The Swamp Bats bullpen allowed seven runs on 12 hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings.

Ben Klafczynski hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning off Stephen Rivera to put the Swamp Bats up 2-0 before they had an out. The SteepleCats scored two runs without a hit in the bottom of the inning off Joe Miller, though, to tie the game 2-2.

The SteepleCats' big inning came in the bottom of the second. With the bases empty and two men out, Miller gave up two walks and a single to load the bases. He was then relieved by Jeff Frost. Frost allowed three straight infield hits that each drove in a run and gave the SteepleCats a 5-2 lead. Newly acquired catcher Justin Corso then reached on an error by shortstop Joey DeMichele that allowed two more runs to score and gave the SteepleCats a 7-2 lead. Corso replaced Chris Leon behind the plate in the top of the first inning after Leon left the game with an injury.

The Swamp Bats battled back and scored four runs in the top of the third inning to make the score 7-6. The SteepleCats added a run in the bottom of the sixth but the Swamp Bats again battled back in the top of the seventh to make the score 8-7. The SteepleCats put the game away in the bottom of the seventh, though, by scoring four insurance runs to go up 12-7.

Matt Klein went 3 2/3 innings in relief for the SteepleCats, allowed just one hit, walked two and was awarded the win. Miller, who allowed five runs over 1 2/3 innings on one hit and six walks, got the loss.

The Swamp Bats (16-19) will play a makeup game against the Newport Gulls at Cardines Field in Newport, R.I., Sunday night. The SteepleCats (23-13) are off Sunday and will return to action Monday night when they take on the Vermont Mountaineers at Recreation Field in Montpelier, Vt.

The next SteepleCats home game will be their last regular season home game. It will be against the Danbury Westerners and it will be Fan Appreciation Night. As a thank you to all the loyal fans in the community, the SteepleCats will offer free admission to all fans.