Blue Sox After the Final Out. Timothy Charvat, 2024
The end of the regular season has arrived for the Utica Blue Sox. After defeating the Saugerties Stallions 2-0 on Saturday, July 27, the Sox traveled out to Booneville on Sunday,
July 28 to face off against the Lumberjacks with the fourth seed in the Eastern Division still on the line.
And in one of the highest scoring games in the PGCBL this season, the Sox defeated the Lumberjacks 19-10.
Blue Sox Strong Start
The Blue Sox bats exploded in the top of the first as after Lumberjacks starter Jin Chen recorded the first two outs. Chen then allowed a walk to Kevin Denty and a double by Matthrew Williams.
This set up Wyatt Hunt to connect for a two-run single to give the Sox an early lead.
Hunt’s Two-Run Single. Timothy Charvat, 2024
On the very next pitch, Mike Benedetto connected a line drive to right field that was misplayed by Trevor Newby allowing the inning to continue. This allowed Yomar Carreras to connect for a two-run single to double the Sox lead.
During the next at bat, Carreras stole second base, which allowed Max French to connect for an RBI single to cap off a five-run inning.
Lumberjack Pounce
The Lumberjacks responded in a big way in their half of the frame. On the first pitch, Wei-Chen Wang connected for a solo blast to left field off Sox starter Tom Roefaro to put the
Lumberjacks on the board. After getting Jackson Williford to fly out, Roefaro allowed a double to Carter Storti and two straight walks to load the bases.
This set up Ethan Acevedo to connect for a two-run single to cut the Sox lead to 5-3. Two pitches later, Nathaniel Vazquez connected for a two-run double to tie the score at five.
Vasquez Game Tying Double. Timothy Charvat, 2024
During the next at bat, Roefaro threw a wild pitch which allowed Vazquez to advance to third. Three pitches later, Luke Picone grounded the ball to third base, but Hunt mishandled the ball which allowed Booneville to take a 6-5 lead.
Roefaro would get the next two outs to end the inning and end his night as Blue Sox manager Doug Delett brought in Charlie Collins in the next frame.
Blue Sox Regain Control
The Blue Sox came alive in the top of the third as with one out Williams connected for a double to left-center field. This allowed Hunt to connect for an RBI single and advance to second on the throw home to tie the game up at six.
In the next at bat, Benedetto connected for an RBI single of his own, and was able to advance to third, giving the Sox a 7-6 lead. On the very next pitch, Carreras connected for another RBI single to increase the lead to 8-6.
Benedetto Reaching Third Base. Timothy Charvat, 2024
The Sox continued to pounce in the next inning. With runners on second and third and nobody out, Brendan Buecker connected for a two-run double which put the Sox in double digits.
This would be the final at bat for Chen, as Lumberjacks manager Brian Fajardo brought in Storti, who was the designated hitter, to limit the damage. But this did not seem to end the onslaught as Denty connected for an infield hit, and Willimas an RBI single to increase the Sox lead 11-6.
Later in the inning, with runners on second and third and one man out, Benedetto connected for a sacrifice fly to give the Sox a 12-6 lead.
The Lumberjacks bats attempted to bounce back in their half of the frame. Collins was in his third inning of relief and allowed the first three batters to reach base.
This allowed Wang to connect on a sacrifice fly to bring in a run, but an excellent throw by
Denty got Darlyn De Los Anges out at third. After allowing a single to Williford, Colling got out of the inning by getting Storti to popout.
Blue Sox Bring Down the Axe
The Blue Sox bats struck again in the top of the fifth as they loaded the bases with nobody out. This allowed Benny Partridge to connect for a single to right field that was misplayed, allowed all three runs to score and Partridge advance to third, giving the Sox a 15-7 lead.
On the very next pitch, Buecker connected for an RBI single to increase the lead to 16-7.
Buecker’s Celebrating His RBI Single. Timothy Charvat, 2024
Lumberjacks Refuse to Give In
Over the next two innings, the Lumberjacks attempted to fight back. Luke Baker replaced
Collins in the bottom of the sixth and ran right into trouble.
With runners on second and third and one out, Williford connected for a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 16-8.
In the next inning, the Lumberjacks had runners on the corners with one man out. But Baker got Picone to ground into a double play to end the inning.
Blue Sox in the End Game
The Sox regained offensive control over the final two innings. With a runner on second base and two men out in the eighth, Benedetto connected for an RBI single to increase the lead 17-8.
In the ninth, the Blue Sox made their presence felt with one final offensive push. With the bases loaded and one man out, Buecker grounded into a fielder’s choice, but a run scored to give the Blue Sox a double-digit lead.
During the next at bat, Storti threw a wild pitch, allowing one more run to score to give the Sox a 19-8 lead.
Lumberjacks Last Stand
The Lumberjacks refused to end their season quietly in the final inning of the regular season. Giovanni Canales was in his second inning of work and ran into bases loaded with nobody out situation.
This set up Acevedo to connect for a sacrifice fly to bring the deficit down 19-9. During the next at bat, Canales threw a wild pitch, which allowed another run to score to put the Lumberjacks in double-digits.
Canales then walked the next two batters to load the bases for the second time in the inning, but then recovered and struck out Darlyn De Los Anges and got Bryce Buscaglia to fly out to end the regular season.
Playoffs Begin
With this win, the Sox have secured the fourth seed in the Eastern Division as they begin their playoff journey at home on Monday, July 29 against the fifth seed Watertown Rapids. The first pitch is at 6:45 p.m.
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