Blue Sox Battle, But Fall to Waves 6-5
June 15, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Valley Blue Sox News Release
KINGSTON, RI- A defensive meltdown in the second inning proved costly, as the Ocean State Waves held on for a 6-5 victory to snap the three-game winning streak of the Valley Blue Sox, who left the tying run on third in the eighth and ninth.
Valley falls to 5-3 on the year, still first in the North Division.
In the second, the Waves erupted, getting a runner on with an error, a walk, and back-to-back singles to make it 2-0. They reloaded the bases on another error, and scored on an RBI groundout and a seeing-eye single to make it 4-0. A line-drive single made it 5-0 and a passed ball then made it 6-0.
The Blue Sox were able to get two back in the following half frame on a double steal where the throw to second was off the line and ended up in center field; left fielder Storm Wilson, who led the frame off with a double, easily scored. Catcher Josh Graham then drove a liner to center, plating right fielder Bobby Stahel.
In the fourth, designated hitter Joseph Carcone doubled down the right field line, and shortstop Angelo La Bruna followed up with a double down the left field line that hopped the third base bag to make it 6-3.
In the fifth, Trey Sikes drove an 0-1 pitch into the Blue Sox bullpen to make it 6-4 on his second home run of the year.
In the seventh, the Blue Sox had two on with two outs for Carcone, and he delivered again, driving a single to center to plate Sikes, but on the following play, Graham was cut down at home after pinch-hitting shortstop Garrett Black singled to center.
The Blue Sox got the tying run to third with one out in the ninth, but a strikeout and a groundout left it there.
Valley returns home Wednesday, June 18 against the Mystic Schooners on minibat night. The first 500 youth in attendance will be given a free Blue Sox minibat. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6:35 p.m. start.
The 2014 season will represent the Blue Sox seventh season in the Pioneer Valley, playing at Mackenzie Stadium in Holyoke. The Blue Sox have been a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL; www.necbl.com) since 2008. The NECBL is funded in part by Major League Baseball and is comprised of 12 teams throughout all six New England states who recruit the elite athletes and premier pro prospects from around the world.
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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 15, 2014
- Early Cushion Enough for Mountaineers - Vermont Mountaineers
- Two-Hitter Not Enough for Swamp Bats - Keene Swamp Bats
- Blue Sox Battle, But Fall to Waves 6-5 - Valley Blue Sox
- Mainers finish strong in come from behind win! - Sanford Mainers
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