Bryson Huwar Celebrating the Victory. Timothy Charvat, 2024.
Things are looking very shaky for the Utica Blue Sox. After tying the Glenn Falls Dragons in one of the most controversial games of the season, the Sox looked to put that game behind them as they traveled to face off against the Watertown Rapids.
Instead, the Sox would lose in their most lopsided affair thus far 10-4.
The Walls Begin to Leak
The Rapids would immediately threaten in the bottom of the first against Blue Sox starter Tom Roefaro. With the bases loaded and nobody out, first baseman Ryan Kramer would connect for a two-run single past the second baseman Partridge to give them an early lead.
During the next at bat, the Rapids would attempt a double steal, but Partridge would make a heads up play to get the runner out at home, but the Rapids would still have a runner on second and with two outs now. Left fielder Jake Blozy would connect for an RBI single to cap off a strong first inning for the Rapids leading 3-0.
Rapids Capitalize
Roefaro would seemingly rebound in the bottom of the second, getting two quick outs before allowing an infield hit to extra hitter Domonick Morabito. During the next at bat to shortstop Jeph Hadson-Taylor, Morabito would successfully steal second base.
On the very next pitch, Taylor would hit a routine groundball to third baseman Max French, who would throw wide of first baseman Matt Williams, allowing the runner to score, increasing the Rapids lead to 4-0.
The Exclamation Point
Roefaro would continue to struggle in the bottom of the third inning, as the Rapids did not let up on their assault. With runners on first and third and two men out, third baseman Chazz Cook would connect for a two run double to increase the lead further.
Three pitches later, designated hitter Mason Collins would put the exclamation point on the game for the Rapids, connecting for a two-run homerun to leftfield to put the game out of reach for the Blue Sox, leading 8-0.
Mason Collins Celebrating His Two Run Homer. Timothy Charvat, 2024
Anthony Dominates for the Rapids
Unfortunately for the Sox, Rapids starter Devin Anthony would have his best outing of the season. Throughout the first five innings, the Sox would have four baserunners, but three of them would be erased either on a pickoff throw or on double playballs.
It would not be until the top of the fourth, where the Blue Sox would get their first runner in scoring position of the game. After Partridge would work a walk with two men out, he advanced to second on a pass ball. Anthony would get center fielder Damien Witty to fly out to end the inning.
Odd Occurrence, and More Runs
The Rapids would add on to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Adien Murry had relieved Roefaro the inning prior and would pitch a solid frame. During which time, a Semi-Pro Football game was about to begin in an adjacent field, and all play was stopped to pay respect to the national anthem.
With the bases loaded and one man out, Murray would walk Rapids catcher Dom Martinez, which would force in a run, further punishing the Sox 9-0.
Blue Sox Try to Swim Upstream
It wouldn’t be until the top of the sixth inning that the Blue Sox would finally get to Anthony. With two men on and nobody out, French would connect for a two-run double to left field to put the Sox on the board.
Max French Connecting for a Two-Run Double. Timothy Charvat, 2024.
This would also be the final batter faced by Anthony, as Rapids Manager Matthew Petrosi would remove him from the game for Brendan Karadenes. After getting one out, Karadenes would balk, allowing French to move to third base. On the very next pitch, shortstop Wyatt Hunt would groundout to second base allowing the run to score, cutting the deficit down to 9-3.
The Rapids would immediately respond in the bottom half of the frame. With a runner on second and two men out, second baseman Tyler Jacobson would connect for an RBI single to kill any momentum the Sox had, as they now led 10-3.
The Rest of the Game
Throughout the next two innings, Karadenes would only allow one baserunner as the Sox would struggle to get a runner into scoring position. On the flip side, Marcus Botelho would replace Murray in the bottom of the seventh and would pitch two scoreless innings, holding the Rapids to a single and an error by right fielder Jayden Ohmer during this stretch.
In the top of the nineth, Bryson Huwar would replace Karadenes, and the Sox would get one more run. With a runner on second and two men out Witty would connect for an RBI double just out of reach of right fielder Dylan Wanat to cut the deficit down to 10-4.
On the very next pitch, Huwar would get Williams to fly out to end the game.
Notable Performances/Stats
After starting the season 4-1, the Blue Sox have lost four out of the last six official Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) games.
Tyler Jacobson would collect three hits for the Rapids, increasing his batting average to .395, which ranks seventh in the PGCBL.
Damien Witty collected two hits of his own, increasing his average to .379, ranking fifteenth in the league.
What’s Next
The Blue Sox return home on Sunday June 16 as they face off against the Amsterdam Mohawks. The first pitch is at 5:15 p.m.
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