AUBURN — The NAPA Auto Parts men’s softball team won three straight contests to bring its record to 4-0 and secure a share of first place in the Auburn Rec Players Middle Division. Stellar defense and timely hitting contributed to all three wins.

In the first go-round, NAPA took down Mixers in a tightly contested bout at Upper Pettingill Park, 7-4. NAPA jumped out early with two runs in the first and another in the second while Mixers hung in with two of its own in the top of the second and one in the third to knot the game going into the bottom of the fourth.

NAPA then scored one in the fourth and three more runs in the fifth to bring their total to seven, while Mixers, not wanting to go quietly, added a run for itself in the top of the sixth. But it was not enough as NAPA’s defense tightened to take the win,

Kevin Pontbriand led the way, going 3-for-3 with two runs, a double and an RBI. Denney Philippon went 2-for-3 with a double and 3 RBIs. Clay Phillips chimed in, going 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. Demetrius Starks also put his name in the hat for MVP of the game, going 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

In its second contest, the first of a doubleheader, NAPA fought off a stubborn Outlaws team, holding onto a 5-2 win at Lakeview Field. Both teams were held scoreless going into the top of the fourth, when NAPA scored Pontbriand on a sacrifice by Craig Turcotte. Napa added four more in the top of the sixth to take a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the frame. The Outlaws fought back, scoring two runs in the sixth, but fell short in their quest for a victory.

NAPA’s three stars were Pontbriand (2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored. Joey Sullivan (2-for- 3 with a triple, a run scored and 2 RBIs) and Turcotte (1-for-2 with a run scored, a sacrifice fly and 2 RBIs).

In the second game of a doubleheader, NAPA doused Firehouse Grill under the lights at Pettingill Park. NAPA’s bats came alive for a season-high output in a 17-2 victory over five innings.

The scoring started with Firehouse taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, but NAPA answered with three runs in the bottom of the second and never looked back, holding Firehouse scoreless while scoring four more in the third and 10 to end the game by mercy rule in the fifth.

Brent Farrell headlined the attack, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Anthony Clark also turned in a perfect performance, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored, a walk, a double and three RBIs. Kasey Clark helped out, going 2-for-2 with a run scored, a walk, a double and an RBI. Pontbriand, Starks and Jon Alexander all helped the cause with two hits apiece.

Through four games NAPA has relied on its impressive defense, giving up an average of just over two runs per game while scoring an average of nearly eight. They look to continue their winning ways with upcoming games against Meineke Car Care, Haggerty Construction, Got the Runs, and Tailgators.

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