Baseball / Blue Sox Sweep North Adams, Make Playoffs

Blue Sox Sweep North Adams, Make Playoffs

Date:  Source: NECBL: Valley Blue Sox

HOLYOKE, MA - The Blue Sox won both games of their double-header against North Adams today by scores of 5-2 and 3-2. After tonight’s wins, Valley clinched a playoff spot and will face the Vermont Mountaineers tomorrow in a wild card elimination game.

In Game One, the Sox offense started out slow, and they did not score in the first five innings. A five-run outburst in the sixth inning turned things around, led by third baseman John Marti’s go-ahead three-run single. Also adding RBI hits in the inning were Travis Holt and Cody Littlejohn, with Littlejohn contributing a double down the third-base line to put Valley’s lead at three runs.

Starter Endy Morales pitched a complete game, letting up two earned runs and seven hits over the seven-inning outing. He closed out the game with a 1-2-3 inning to give the Blue Sox momentum heading into the second matchup.

Center fielder Joe Lomuscio started the second game off with a bang by taking one over the fence off the first pitch he saw. This colossal home run from Lomuscio would rattle the All-Star starter for North Adams in Nick Payero, who had a 1.80 ERA and an undefeated record heading into tonight’s game.

Marti then came through again in the second inning of Game Two, hitting a single that sent in outfielder Collin Mathews with help from a SteepleCats error. Mathews ended the second game with two hits and the game-tying run.

Then, a bunt by Cody Littlejohn in the fourth inning sent in the Blue Sox game-winning run. Littlejohn finished the night with four hits and two RBIs.

Starter Kevin Gould threw five innings for Valley and let up five hits and two earned runs. Hunter Waldis and Rob Griswold finished the game with a scoreless inning each, with Griswold earning his sixth save of the season.

The Blue Sox will now have the chance to compete for their third straight NECBL Championship. The team will face Vermont tomorrow at Mackenzie Stadium in a one-game playoff, where the winner will take on Keene in a best-of-three series for the Northern Division title. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM.