Cronenworth Lifts Blue Sox in 4-3 Extra-Inning Victory
June 14, 2013 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Valley Blue Sox News Release
NEWPORT, RI - The Holyoke Blue Sox saw a 3-0 lead evaporate at historic Cardines Field but were able to win against the defending champion Newport Gulls thanks to an extra-inning home run that gave the visiting team the 4-3 victory improving to 4-1 on the young season.
Holyoke took advantage of early miscues in the first to score two runs, leading off when center fielder Jacob Bruce slammed a double to right-center that only narrowly missed being a home run; second baseman Jason Lombardozzi was walked and then erased on what should have been a double play ball hit by designated hitter Jacob Cronenworth, but was dropped at first base. Right fielder Vahn Bozoian then grounded to third on what looked like another double play, but the throw went into right field and Bruce scored. Third baseman Brendan Hendriks then scored Cronenworth on a sacrifice fly to right.
They then took advantage of another mistake in the second to make it 3-0, with first baseman Justin Morhardt singling up the middle to lead off the inning and scoring when Lombardozzi grounded to first and Gulls first baseman Steve Anderson threw the ball into center field trying to start a double play.
The Gulls scored an unearned run of their own in the home half of the sixth, with shortstop Trace Tamsing getting hit by a pitch, advancing to second on a wild pitch, and then scoring when Anderson hit a grounder to second that snuck under Lombardozzi's glove.
The Gulls then got within one with a two out rally in the seventh, with pitcher Mark McCoy being hit by a pitch, followed by a double down the left field line by Tamsing, and a pair of walks to outfielders Roberts and Robinson to force in McCoy; that was the end of the night for Hillyer, but he escaped further damage as reliever Kendall Hawkins induced Anderson to pop up to short.
It looked like the Gulls might be able to tie it in the eighth, as catcher Ethan Ferriera worked a leadoff walk and second baseman Adrian English blooped a single to center; however, Hawkins fanned Iorio and got McCoy to ground out to the shortstop to end the threat.
Ben Rakus came in to toss what looked to be the final frame, and the closer was able to get the first two outs before allowing a first-pitch line drive single to left and then an RBI double to tie the game. He was able to strike out left fielder Dave Graybill to end the inning.
However, that set the stage for tenth inning dramatics, as Cronenworth led off the extra inning with a no-doubt shot to right field that cleared the high fence at Cardines. Rakus came back out, and despite a leadoff single, was able to get out of the tenth frame unscathed to give the Blue Sox a 4-3 victory.
Gulls starter Mick VanVossen threw six innings, allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) while walking two and fanning five; Blue Sox starter Jordan Hillyer threw 6.2 innings, giving up two hits and two runs (one earned), walking five and striking out eight. Rakus, who was charged with a blown save, was also given a win, allowing one run on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts over two innings; taking the loss for the Gulls was McCoy, who tossed four innings of relief, allowing one run on five hits, walking two and fanning two.
The Blue Sox return home tomorrow to face the North Adams Steeplecats at Mackenzie Stadium, with a scheduled start time of 6:35 PM.
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