By Matt Kotfila

The Valley Blue Sox suffered defeat on Friday despite a rally in the sixth inning that saw them score four runs and take the lead.

Down 3-0 to the visiting Mountaineers, Valley went on a run that featured a Rees Kozar two run double, a Clay Burdette sacrifice fly and an additional run on a throwing error.

Vermont responded in the top of the seventh with a Jaylen Hernandez two run home run, securing the 5-4 victory at MacKenzie Stadium.

“Overall, our defense needs to be cleaned up. We’re making key mistakes later in the game … I would like for us to be a little more efficient on the mound, and then defensively just clean up in those big moments,” said Head Coach Endy Morales.

Beau Ellson started the game on the mound for Valley, allowing six hits and three runs across four innings of work. Riley Williams was credited with the loss in relief for Valley. 

For the Mountaineers, Jack Rollo earned the win. Oliver Ellison got the save. 

The loss drops Valley’s record on the season to 9-8. Morales will look to build on this record today, when they host the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks.

“In the grand scheme of things, we’re still above .500, I would love to stay above .500 [today] … This is the time where you want to make that separation. You don’t want it to be the last week of the season and you’re chasing four wins to try and get into the playoffs. You want to do that now so you have a bit more buffer,” Morales said. 

First pitch today is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at MacKenzie Stadium in Holyoke, MA.