Blue Sox’ Bats Come Alive in Extra Inning Victory vs. Bristol
By: David Azer
After an extra inning of baseball, the Valley Blue Sox are back in the win column following a 5-4 victory over the Bristol Blues in 10 innings. The Blue Sox’ record stands at 9-9, and they hold a 1.5 game lead in the West Division
Valley scored five runs off of nine hits in this game. The bats were rolling early after Matt Bergevin hit an RBI single to put the Blue Sox in the lead 1-0 in the top of the first inning. Bergevin went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk on the night.
The pitching staff was on point tonight for the Blue Sox. Graham Jeffries started the game for Valley, and pitched four innings allowing two runs and striking out one batter. Bristol took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning following an RBI triple and a sacrifice fly.
Manager Pedro Santiago turned the ball over to Dillon Ryan in the bottom of the fifth, who pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout.
Thomas Ballard was the next man out of the bullpen for Valley. The right-hander pitched one inning allowing one run along with one strikeout.
The Blues would add one more run in the bottom of the sixth off of an RBI double to make it a 3-1 game.
Michael Weidinger struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh, his one inning of work in this game.
Valley would fight back to tie the ballgame in the top of the eighth, scoring two runs off of an RBI fielder’s choice from Matt Bergevin and an RBI single from CJ Willis.
Zach Cameron took over for Weidinger in the bottom of the eighth inning, keeping the game tied in his first two innings of work to force extra innings.
The Blue Sox took the lead in the top of the tenth after an RBI double from CJ Willis scored Michael Zarrillo from second. Cian Sahler would pinch run for Willis and score on a wild pitch, making it a 5-3 game heading into the bottom of the tenth.
Cameron closed the door in his third inning of work, working a double play after a leadoff RBI single. The right-hander struck Bristol's Dixon Black to end the game, and snap a five game losing streak for the Blue Sox.
Valley will look to make it two wins in a row following a thrilling victory in Bristol. After an off day on Wednesday, the team will head to Danbury for a rematch with the Westerners on Thursday night at 6:30 P.M.
