By Matt Kotfila

HOLYOKE - Valley Blue Sox starting outfielder and leadoff hitter Sebastian Mexico moved from sixth to fifth in the NECBL’s league wide batting average Friday, helping power the Blue Sox to a 6-4 win.

In their victory over the Bristol Blues, Mexico tallied two hits and a walk in five plate appearances. He also brought in four of the six Blue Sox runs.

Mexico spoke about what has helped him succeed at the plate.

“I pride myself on having a short term memory,” Mexico said. “After my first at bat, grounding out on a pitch I think I could hit, then bouncing back next at bat, calming it down. I very easily could’ve let the first at bat get to my head and have the train go off the rails, but the whole game is over if that first at bat gets to my head.”

Mexico tied the game in the bottom of the second inning, scoring two runners on a base hit single. The Templeton, MA native then doubled his RBI total with a two run double in the fourth.

Since joining the team on June 7, Mexico has knocked 14 hits in 36 plate appearances. He’s also picked up two home runs and 12 RBI in the 10 games he has played for Valley. 

“He’s come in and kind of just spewed confidence,” said Head Coach Endy Morales. “He comes up, and it doesn’t always have to be pretty, but he’s getting it done. He’s trying to get the barrel to the ball, and I just think that’s infectious, and exactly why he is in the leadoff spot.”

Mexico’s two hits saw his batting average rise to .389, landing fifth overall in the league. While it’s difficult to point to one factor, Mexico mentioned some familiar faces in the dugout that helped him settle in.

“No matter how confident of a person you are, you come into an already established team like that … It's definitely a little nerve wracking. Fortunately, I’ve had a few friends on this team that I already knew from past teams and summer ball before,” Mexico said. 

“I played for the Brockton Rox (of the Frontier League) last year with Jack Levine and Riley Williams, and they’re just grade A human beings. That added a deep bond with each other, and so just kicking it with them, you slowly get to meet everyone else,” he continued. 

Mexico will look to stay hot and continue growing his batting average on Sunday, when the Blue Sox travel to Vermont for a matchup with the Mountaineers. There, he looks to create even more moments with his team.

“I feel like [the best memory] has yet to come. New things every day are popping up. We had a walk off to start the season, and then I ended up having a lead off home run a few days later. It’s tough to say now what my favorite memory is, because I know I’m just going to top it,” he said.