Blue Sox Seconds After the Final Out. Timothy Charvat, 2024
The end of the 2024 PGCBL season is upon the Utica Blue Sox. After defeating the Oneonta Outlaws on Thursday, July 26 5-4, the Sox looked to take control of their own destiny against the second seed Saugerties Stallions with playoff seeding at stake.
And in one of the most intense pitching duels of the season, the Sox edged out the Stallions 2-0.
The First Half
The Blue Sox got off to a quick start in the top of the first. With two on and one out, designated hitter Matthew Williams connected for an RBI single off Stallions starter Sean Dertinger to give the Sox an early lead.
The Stallions attempted to respond in their half of the frame. With runners on second and third and two men out, Sox starter Anthony Anzaldi threw a wild pitch to left fielder Andrew Amato that catcher Sean Marlou was able to field and get shortstop Mario Trivella out attempting to score.
Anzaldi Getting Trivella for the Final Out. Timothy Charvat, 2024
Over the next four innings, both teams’ pitching began to settle down. The combination of Dertinger and Ben Keefe would hold the Sox to two walks and two strikeouts, which kept the Stallions in the game.
Unfortunately for Saugerties, Anzaldi had one of his best performances of the season, as he pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out four.
Saugerties Last Gasp
The Sox struck again in the top of the sixth. Marciano Neglia was brought on to pitch for the Stallions and ran right into trouble.
With a runner on third and two men out, right fielder Kevin Denty connected for an RBI single to put the Sox up 2-0.
Denty’s Connecting for his RBI Single. Timothy Charvat, 2024
The Stallions attempted to respond in the bottom half of the frame. Aiden Murray relived Anzaldi and with one man out, the bases were loaded.
But Murray would come up clutch, as he struck out right fielder Justin Ford and got second baseman Josh Blackmore to ground out, keeping Saugerties scoreless.
This would be the last attempt the Stallions had to make a comeback, as the combination of Murray, Kris Giangreco and Gavin Enright held the Saugerties bats to a single walk for the last three innings while striking out five.
Playoff Implications
With the victory, the Sox finished the regular season with a 2-1 record against the Stallions. In addition, the Blue Sox now have a half game lead over the Watertown Rapids for the fourth seed in the PGCBL Eastern Division.
This means the Blue Sox can clinch the fourth seed on the final regular season game Sunday, July 28 against the Boonville Lumberjacks with a win. The first pitch is at 6:00 p.m.
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