Kosowsky's Strong Start Helps Vermont Shut Out Blue Sox, 8-0
June 29, 2022 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Vermont Mountaineers News Release
HOLYOKE, Mass. - A strong outing by Joseph Kosowsky helped the Vermont Mountaineers blank the Valley Blue Sox, 8-0, on Wednesday night at MacKenzie Stadium during a cross-divisional New England Collegiate Baseball League contest.
The Mountaineers moved to 18-2 on the year while the Blue Sox dropped to 11-9. Vermont maintained a six game lead over the second place Upper Valley Nighthawks in the North Division.
Kosowsky had his longest outing of the summer to earn his first win. He went six and two third innings, striking out six batters and just surrendering a pair of walks and two hits
After two scoreless innings to start the game, Vermont added two runs in the third. Two singles to start the inning by Tom Ruscitti and Tyler Cox started the rally. However, Cox was retired on a fielder's choice that allowed Stephen DiTomaso to reach base. Gerry Siracusa reached on an error that allowed Ruscitti to score before a two-out passed ball let DiTomaso cross the plate.
After going down quickly in the fourth, the Mountaineers added two more in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead. Evan Fox singled to start the frame, before a double plated him by Ruscitti. Ruscitti moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, before scoring on yet another passed ball.
Valley's pitching put up a pair of shutout innings but their offense could not find an answer for Kosowsky. However, the big blow came in the seventh. Cox singled to score Jack Cone, before Fox scored after DiTomaso reached on an error. Tom Josten had the big hit of the frame with a two-out single to score Fox and DiTomaso, making it 8-0 Vermont.
Vermont was led offensively by Cox and Ruscitti, who each had two hits and drove in a run. Josten drove in a pair of runs as well. DiTomaso, Fox, and Ruscitti all scored twice as well.
Vermont's pitching dominated the game and retired 11 straight hitters until a leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth. A walk put the first Blue Sox base runner in scoring position of the night, but McFall got out of the inning without surrendering a run, inducing a ground ball double play.
Brendan McFall pitched an inning and a third off relief for the Mountaineers. He struck out one, allowed a hit and a walk. Zach Byron secured the shutout in the ninth, striking out the final two batters of the game.
Valley's Michael Volgende suffered the loss after five innings of work. He allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk.
Vermont returns to action tomorrow with a road game against the Sanford Mainers at Goodall Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and can be followed on the NECBL Broadcast Network.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 29, 2022
- Mainers Rally Late to Beat North Shore in Extras - Sanford Mainers
- Kosowsky's Strong Start Helps Vermont Shut Out Blue Sox, 8-0 - Vermont Mountaineers
- Darick Hall (Keene '14) Makes MLB Debut with Phillies - NECBL
- The NECBL Daily Rundown - 6/28/22- Nighthawks Run Win Streak to Five Games - NECBL
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