Blue Sox Celebrating the Win. Timothy Charvat, 2024.
The Blue Sox have been riding high over the last few games. After defeating the Boonville Lumberjacks 17-3, the Sox began a four-game home stand against the Watertown Rapids.
And the Sox would Sox would defeat the Rapids 11-4 to win their fourth straight game.
The Early Standoffs
The Rapids deliver the first strike in the top of the first. With runners on the corners and two outs, left fielder Dylan Wanat would connect for an RBI single off Blue Sox starter Anthony Anzaldi to give Watertown the early lead.
This score would stay the same, as Rapids starter Nathan VanDeVoodre would retire six of the first seven hitters he faced. But the Sox bats came to life in the bottom of the third.
With the bases loaded and nobody out, second baseman Benny Partridge would ground into a fielder’s choice, allowing the game to be tied up at one. In the next at bat, center fielder Todd Abraham would connect for a two-run single off Rapids starter Nathan VanDeVoorde to give the Sox a 3-1 lead.
Todd Abraham Celebrating the Blue Sox Lead. Timothy Charvat, 2024.
Later in the inning, the Sox would load the bases, and with two men out, third baseman Wyatt Hunt worked a walk to force in a run. This would be followed by an infield hit by designated hitter Omar Carreras and another walk by extra hitter Johnny Brucato to give the Blue Sox a 6-1 lead.
Anzaldi Overcomes the Rapids
Anzaldi would settle in after a rocky first, as he would retire nine of the final eleven batter he faced. Bue he would get some help from the defense in the top of the fourth.
With a runner on second base and one out, Rapids right fielder Peyton Shipman would hit a single to Sox right fielder Kevin Denty, who would make a strong throw to plate, getting the runner out at home. He would get catcher Connor Sackett to groundout, ending his night with four innings pitched, one run, four hits, one walk and one strikeout.
The Blue Sox bats stuck again in the bottom of the fourth. Jason Carrasco would replace VanDeVoodre, and immediately ran into trouble.
With runners on the corners and nobody out, Carrasco would get Abraham to ground into a double play that allowed a run to score to put the Sox up 7-1.
A Back and Forth Seventh
Aiden Murray would then take over in the top of the fifth, and pitched two scoreless innings, while also striking out the side in his first inning of work.
After the Sox would take on another run in the bottom of the sixth, the Rapids bats would attempt a comeback in the top of the seventh.
Luke Baker would replace Murray and immediately ran into trouble. With runners on the corners and one man out, Sox catcher Sean Marlou would throw the ball low on a stolen base attempt, which allowed the lead runner to score, cutting the Sox lead 8-2.
The Sox bats responded in a big way in their half of the frame. Evan Froelich replaced Carrasco and immediately allowed the first two runners to reach base. And with one man out, Brucato connected for an RBI double, pushing the Sox lead 9-2. Two pitches later, Max French would connect for an RBI single to put the Blue Sox in double digits.
Later in the inning, with a runner on second base and two outs, Partridge would hit a groundball that bounced under the glove to Rapids shortstop Jeph Hadson-Taylor, allowing the Sox to take a 11-2 lead.
Rapids Last Gast
The Rapids would not give in, as they rallied in the top of the eighth. Cole Moore would replace Baker in the top of the eighth, and immediately loaded the bases with nobody out.
This allowed Damien Asenico, who pinched hit for designated hitter Mason Collins, to walk on four pitches to cut the Sox down further. In the next at bat, Wanat would ground into a double play, but allowed another run to score, making it an 11-4 ballgame.
Sox Seal the Deal
The Sox would seal the deal in the bottom half of the frame. With runners on second and third with one man out, Hunt would groundout to the third baseman, but a run would score, pushing the Sox lead to 12-4.
This lead would be more than enough for the Blue Sox to hang onto, as Nick Hios would be brought in the ninth, and retired the side in order, ending the game by striking out Trey Runge swinging.
What’s Next
The Blue Sox continue their four game homestand on Tuesday, July 9 as they welcome the Boonville Lumberjacks for the first of a two-game matchup. The first pitch is at 6:45 p.m.
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