CARNEYS POINT, NJ - The Northampton baseball team dropped the first game of their Region 19 three-game series against the Salem Community College Mighty Oaks, 12-2, on Wednesday afternoon at the Carneys Point Recreation Complex.

The Spartans, who Received Votes in the NJCAA national poll earlier this week, jumped out to a quick, 1-0, lead after the first inning, but saw the lead disappear when Salem answered with four runs in the bottom of the 4th inning to take a 5-1 lead.

The Spartans were unable to get back into the game as Salem scored 7 more runs to seal the 10-run mercy rule win in the bottom of the 8th inning,12-2.

"Very disappointing loss and not the way we want to open a 3 game series," explained Spartans Head Coach Adrian Yaguez, "We had our chances early to break the game open in our favor and we just didn't get the timely hitting when we needed it. We left 12 runners on base and that makes it difficult. We need to have a short memory on this one and be ready to go again for games 2 and 3 tomorrow."

Along with leaving 12 runners on base the Spartans were only able to put together 4 hits on offense and struck out 11 times.

Tyler Reichenbach (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) was 1-3 with a double and an RBI. Drew Mulligan (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Carroll) was 1-3 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Gavin Panovec (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) (1-1) took the loss on the mound for the Spartans. Panovec worked 3.2 innings scattering 4 hits and allowing 5 runs with only 1 run being earned. Ben Mostosky (Saylorsburg, PA/Pleasant Valley) and Isaiah Sack (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) both saw time in relief. Sack pitched 2.1 innings allowing 4 hits and recording a strikeout.

Northampton slips to 6-6 overall and 1-1 in Region 19.

Salem is now 6-11 overall and 1-2 in the Region.

The Spartans and Mighty Oaks will be back in action for Game 2 and Game 3 of their 3-Game series on Thursday with a scheduled double-header set for 12pm at Spartan Field.