Blue Sox Celebrating Game One Victory. Timothy Charvat, 2024
Times have been rough for the Utica Blue Sox. After losing to the Watertown Rapids on Independence Day 7-4, the Sox were looking to rebound as they played host to the Albany Baseball Club (ABCs) for doubleheader action.
And the Sox would take care of business as they would sweep the doubleheader.
Strong Start for Game One
The Blue Sox would get right to work in the bottom of the first. With a runner on second and one out, extra hitter Norris McClure would connect for an RBI single off ABC’s starter Matt Cruz to give the Sox an early lead.
Three batters later, with runners on first and second, third baseman Omar Carreras would connect for an RBI single of his own to double the Sox lead 2-0.
Omar Carreras RBI Single. Timothy Charvat, 2024.
Hartman Impresses
After getting another run in the bottom of the third on a sacrifice fly by catcher Brendan Bucker, Trace Hartman would take control of the ABCs in his second outing of the season. Through his first three innings of work, he would hold Albany to one baserunner.
But Hartman would run into trouble in the top of the fourth. With the bases loaded and one man out, Hartman would throw a wild pitch to Albany’s designated hitter Brooks Carter, allowing a run to score to put the ABCs on the board.
Hartman would recover as he would strikeout Carter and get first baseman David Bernard to ground out to end his night on a solid note.
“He pitched good…,” Blue Sox manager Doug Delett commented. “Good splitter, good fastball”
Albany Responds
The Albany bats would come alive in the top of the fifth. Chris Giangreco would replace Hartman, and with one out, would have runners on second and third. This allowed right fielder Joey Slattery to connect for a sacrifice fly to make it a one run ball game.
Three pitches later, extra hitter Donovan Rhoden would connect for a two-run home run over the left field wall to give Albany the lead 4-3.
Donnovan Rhoden Celebrating His Home Run. Timothy Charvat, 2024.
Blue Sox Strike Back
The Blue Sox would answer right back in their half of the frame. Bryce Collins was in his second inning of work for Albany, and with a runner on first base and nobody out, McClure would connect for an RBI triple to tie the game up.
Two pitches later, Kevin Denty would connect for an RBI single to put the Sox up 5-4.
“Love Kevin, he’s one of those guys that’s just locked in, you don’t have to worry about him,” Delett would comment.
Blue Sox Seal Game One
In PGCBL rules, doubleheaders last only seven innings, and the lead was more than enough for the Sox pitching staff to hold. After Giangreco rebounded in the sixth inning, Cole Moore would be brought in to close the game.
The ABCs would not go out without a fight as with two out, Albany would put the tying run on second base for center fielder Jordan Daniels. But Moore remained unshaken, as he would get Daniels to flyout to secure win for game one.
Blue Sox Go Back to Work
In game two, the Sox would pick up right where they left off in the bottom of the second. With two on and one out, first baseman Matthew Williams would ground the ball to Albany’s shortstop Jan Avila, who threw the ball high allowing both runs to score giving the Sox an early lead.
Two batters later, second baseman Johnny Brucato would connect for an RBI single off ABC’s starter Bobby Loper to put the sox up 3-0. After walking third baseman Wyatt Hunt, designated hitter Benny Partridge would hit a ball that was under the globe of Albany’s third baseman Brody Kenneston to increase the lead to 4-0.
The Sox would continue to pounce in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded and nobody out, shortstop Yomar Carreras would connect for a two-run single to put the Sox up six.
Yomar Carreras Two-Run Single. Timothy Charvat, 2024.
“Yomar’s a talented high school kid, you can see him starting to get acclimated to the college level,” Delett commented.
In the next at bat, Williams would connect for a sacrifice fly to give the Sox a 7-0 lead. After walking left fielder Nick OConnor, Brucato would ground into a fielder’s choice, allowing another run to
cross for the Sox to go up 8-0.
Pitching Dominance
Tom Roefaro would get the start for the Blue Sox in game two and keep the ABCs at bay during the first three innings. But he would need some help from the defense in the top of the fourth, as with runners on first and second and one man out, Albany’s first baseman Brooks Carter would hit a ball that was caught by Brucato who then doubled up the lead runner to end the inning.
For the next two innings, pitching would continue to dazzle, as Roefaro would only allow two baserunners during this stretch. Likewise, Aidan Zakarewicz, who replaced Bobby Loper in the bottom of the fourth, would keep the Sox bats at bay.
Sox Keeping up the Punishment
But the Sox bats would come to life in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Denty would connect for an RBI single to put the team up 9-0.
Two batters later, Carreras would connect for another RBI single to put Utica in double digits. This would be followed by Williams grounding into a fielder’s choice to give the Sox an 11-0 lead.
Roefaro Secures the Sweep
This would make it easy for Delett to have Roefaro attempt to pitch the top of the seventh. And he would immediately run into trouble, as with one out the ABCs would put runners on the corners for catcher Brian Carrothers.
But Roefaro would recover, as he would get Carrothers to ground, which did put Albany on the board, while still trailing the Sox 11-1. Roefaro then got Kenneston to fly out to secure the Blue Sox first complete of the season, allowing only one run, three hits, five walks and three strikeouts.
Tom Roefaro After the Final Out. Timothy Charvat, 2024.
“His plan is three innings, and if he can give you more you, just play it inning by inning,” Delett said of Roefaro. “He just kept getting it done, and we were putting up runs.”
Notable Stats
Norris McClure would steal his 31st career stolen base during game one, which puts him in sole possession for second place on the Blue Sox all-time list.
Tom Roefaro would make his 11th career start for the Blue Sox, which is the second most in franchise history.
“That’s awesome!” Roefaro would say after the game.
What’s Next
After the Saturday July 6 doubleheader would be postponed due to weather, Sox will go back on the road on Sunday July 7 as they travel to Boonville to face off against the Lumberjacks. The first pitch is at 6:00 p.m.
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