The Valley Blue Sox and Bristol Blues faced off for the first time in the 2025 season Friday night at Mackenzie Stadium.

Gianno Merlonghi (Central Connecticut State) and Nate Lincoln (Marist) kicked off the top of the second inning with back-to-back singles to kickstart a rally that scored three runs and gave Bristol an early lead. 

However, the lead was short lived as the Blue Sox responded in the bottom half of the inning with three runs to tie the game. Later in the fourth, a double by Sebastian Mexico (Louisiana Tech) drove in two runs and allowed the Blue Sox to add on to their lead. Mexico scored later in the inning on a sac fly to make it a 6-3 game. 

The Blues scored a run in the fifth to make it a two run game, but couldn’t complete the comeback and were defeated 6-4. 

Despite giving up six runs, the Blues pitching was solid. The Blue Sox only had seven hits and didn’t score after the fourth inning. A few big hits with runners in scoring position put the Blue Sox out in front and they relied on their pitching the rest of the way.   

The Blue Sox bullpen shut down the Bristol offense. Max McCray, (Mount St. Mary’s) Conor Wolf (St. Bonaventure) and Andrew Wertz (Salve Regina) only gave up one combined hit over the final four innings. Despite the five errors by the Blue Sox, they were able to eke out a win over Bristol and improve to 6-6 on the season. Bristol drops to 9-5 on the season but remains in first place in the South division.

The Blues return to Muzzy Field Saturday night as they take on the league leading 11-2 Keene Swamp Bats, who are in first place in the North division. The battle of the two division leaders is set for 6:30 p.m. 

Written by Ryan McKenna 

Photo Courtesy of Bristol Blues Instagram Page (@bristol_blues)