Elmira beats Blue Sox 7-2

Published on July 9, 2018 under Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL)
Utica Blue Sox News Release


Utica rightfielder Khalyd Cox and first baseman Tom Hojnacki each hit a homerun in tonight. But despite their great performance at the plate, the Blue Sox could not match Elmira's strong offensive performance, as the Pioneers recorded 15 hits and scored seven runs to beat the Blue Sox 7-2.

The Blue Sox are now 15-15 this season, and the Pioneers improve to 12-16.

Elmira took an early lead in the top first. The Pioneers' shortstop Jordan Westburg hit a double and catcher Tanner Johnson later walked. Then Trevor Henneman singled to bring Westburg home and give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. Mason Ruhlman also hit a single to bring Johnson home and give Elmira the 2-0 run advantage.

The Blue Sox got on the board in the bottom second off of Hojnacki's lead-off solo homerun

Utica only trailed by one run heading out of the second, but the Pioneers tacked on one more run in the top third. Johnson doubled and later scored off of Henneman's single to give the Pioneers a 3-1 lead.

Elmira scored two runs in the top eighth. Ruhlman singled, stole second, and advanced to third off of an error from the Blue Sox's second baseman Judd Sparks. Luke Stephenson then hit the ball out of the park for a two-run homer.

The Pioneers took a 5-1 heading out of the eighth, and they scored two-more runs in the top ninth. Cox hit his solo homerun in the bottom ninth, but Utica could not tack on five more runs to tie the game, or six to win the game. Elmira held onto their lead.

The Blue Sox's starting pitcher RJ Kuruts was the losing pitcher. He struck out five, walked one, and gave up nine hits in his six innings of play. The Pioneers' starting pitcher Mason Hazelwood got the win striking out 10, walking three, and giving up six hits in his six innings of play.

The Blue Sox will face Newark tomorrow on the road, but they then will return home Wednesday to play the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs. Wednesday's game is scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m.



Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 9, 2018


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