Blue Sox offense explodes in win against Muskrats
June 28, 2013 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Valley Blue Sox News Release
HOLYOKE, MA - The Blue Sox broke a 2-2 deadlock in the fifth inning thanks to a bases-loaded two-out double by first baseman Brendan Hendriks and never looked back en route to a 9-2 win over the Laconia Muskrats at Mackenzie Stadium in front of 1,886 in the first of a three-game homestand.
The Sox got off to a fast start, striking in the first frame with a double by Hendriks to plate right fielder Vahn Bozoian. They added a run in the next frame when catcher Joel Fisher singled and eventually was brought home by a groundout by second baseman Jason Lombardozzi.
Laconia would come back in the following two frames, as Kaleb Barlow led off the third with a double and eventually scored when Fisher tried to catch him stealing third but threw the ball into left, and then tied it the following inning when Tanner Hill walked, stole second, and was eventually driven in by Carter White's single.
However, Holyoke would score four in the fifth, as Lombardozzi singled, center fielder Jacob Bruce walked, and then Bozoian was hit by a pitch. That set up Hendriks, who stroked a shot into left center to empty the bases; he eventually scored himself on back to back wild pitches to give the home crowd a 6-2 lead.
"I was just excited to have the opportunity. I came up and just wanted to get a pitch to drive...he left a fastball up for me and I got hold of it," Hendriks said.
On the other side, pitcher Jordan Hillyer was a horse. After the hiccups in the third and fourth, he cruised, holding the Muskrats off the scoreboard the rest of the way, ultimately throwing 137 pitches through his seven innings.
"He kept battling. He had some good life in his fastball in that last inning, which was good," said assistant coach Peter Fatse about his starter's tremendous game.
Holyoke added some insurance in the eighth, bringing three more in for the 9-2 final.
Hillyer earned the win, tossing seven innings and allowing nine hits, walking three and fanning nine; of his two runs allowed, only one was earned. On the other side, Peter Lehnstrom was tagged with the loss, surrendering seven hits and six runs (five earned) with a walk and five strikeouts.
The Blue Sox are back home tomorrow as they face the Keene Swamp Bats in a rivalry game between divisional opponents. It will be "Bang For Your Buck" night, with hot dogs, popcorn, and soda each priced at just one dollar. The gate opens at 5:30 PM for the 6:35 PM start.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 28, 2013
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