Valley Blue Sox Suffer Heartbreaking Loss at Keene
June 19, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Valley Blue Sox News Release
KEENE, NH - The Valley Blue Sox had a six run lead, but in the fifth inning things fell apart as a seven run outburst put the Keene Swamp Bats in the win column as they took a 9-7 victory at Alumni Field on June 19.
Valley falls to .500, at 5-5, having lost three straight.
In the first, left fielder Storm Wilson reached on an error, and the Blue Sox made the Swamp Bats pay, as designated hitter Trey Sikes drove a ball over the fence and trees in left field for his third home run of the year, making it 2-0 before Keene even picked up the bats.
The Swamp Bats then ran themselves out of the bottom of the first, as a single was wasted on a strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play, with starter Zach Strecker getting a batter to wave at a curveball and a perfect throw from catcher Todd Ezold to shortstop Angelo La Bruna.
In the third, Ezold hit a single to left, and a bunt attempt by Wilson was thrown away. That allowed third baseman Bobby Zarubin to come up with two in scoring position, and he hit a grounder that scored Ezold to make it 3-0, though Wilson was erased on the fielder's choice.
In the fifth, the Blue Sox scored quickly, as Wilson ripped a double to left field and then right fielder Bobby Stahel hit a home run just to the right of center field, his second of the year, to make it 5-0. Sikes followed up two batters later with his second home run of the night and fourth of the year to make it 6-0.
However, the wheels fell off in the bottom half of the frame. The Swamp Bats rattled off seven straight hits to score six times and tie the game, knocking Strecker out. Joe Debenedetto came in to pitch after a three-run double made it 6-6, and after another single, a sacrifice fly made it 7-6 for the home team.
The Swamp Bats added an insurance run the following inning to take an 8-6 lead.
In the eighth, the Blue Sox struck again as La Bruna powered a pitch over the left center field fence for his first home run of the year, making it 8-7. However, the Swamp bats scored on a sacrifice fly in the bottom half to regain the two run edge and earn the 9-7 win.
The Blue Sox head to North Adams to battle the SteepleCats at Joe Wolfe Field; they return home the following day, Saturday June 21, to play a doubleheader with the Vermont Mountaineers. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for the 5:35 p.m. game one start. One ticket is good for both games, and the Red Sox 2004, 2007, and 2013 World Series Trophies will be at Mackenzie Stadium from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 19, 2014
- Swamp Bats explode for seven runs in the fifth for 9-7 come-from-behind victory - Keene Swamp Bats
- Valley Blue Sox Suffer Heartbreaking Loss at Keene - Valley Blue Sox
- Blue Sox Struggle in Loss to Schooners - Valley Blue Sox
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