Rapids After the Final Out. Timothy Charvat, 2024
Momentum was running high for the Utica Blue Sox. After starting the month of July with a 10-0 victory over the Boonville Lumberjacks, the Sox returned home on Wednesday July 3 to start a brief two game series against the Watertown Rapids.
And in one of the most shocking upsets of the season, the Rapids came back from a four-run deficit to defeat the Sox in extra innings 10-6.
Sox Strike First
The Sox would strike first in the bottom of the second. With a runner on first base and nobody out, catcher Brendan Bucker would connect for an RBI double against Rapids starter Devin Anthony to give the Sox the early lead.
Later in the inning, with runners on first and second and two men out, third baseman Wyatt Hunt would connect for an RBI single to double the Sox lead. After Anthony allowed another run to score on a wild pitch, second baseman Benny Partridge would cap off the inning by edging out an infield single, pushing the Sox lead 4-0.
Partridge’s Infield Hit. Timothy Charvat, 2024
Starting Pitching Shined
Anthony would settle in after a rocky second, as he would retire nine of the final ten batters he faced to finish his night with five innings pitched, four runs allowed while striking out five, keeping the Rapids in the game.
On the flip side, Sox starter Aiden Aggerwal would pitch a season high five scoreless innings, striking out five as well. But in his final three innings, Aggerwal would labor as he had to work through the Rapids putting multiple men on in each of these innings.
Fortunately for the Sox, clutch defense and timely pitches kept the Rapids at bay for the moment.
A Back and Forth Sixth
It would not be until the top of the sixth that the Rapids would respond. Aiden Murray would take over for Aggerwal, and immediately got into trouble. With a runner on third base and one man out, first baseman Ryan Kramer would connect for an RBI double to put the Rapids on the board.
The Sox would immediately reply in their half of the frame. Evan Froelich would relieve Anthony and would immediately walk first baseman Norris McClure.
McClure would steal second and third base during the next at bat, scoring on a throwing error by Rapids catcher Patrick Sullivan to put the Sox back up 5-1.
The Rapids Come From Behind
The Rapids would not be deterred as they continued their attack in the top of the seventh inning. Ryan Carol would replace Murray and would allow the first two runners to reach base.
After both runners advance on a wild pitch, Sullivan would ground into a fielder’s choice to cut the deficit to 5-2.
In the next inning, the Rapids bats would come alive. Andrew George would replace Carol and would immediately walk the first three batters that he faced. During the next at bat, George would throw a wild pitch and allowed a run to score, cutting the deficit to 5-4.
Blue Sox manager Doug Delett removed George from the game after walking extra hitter Tyler Jacobsen for Matthew Williams, who was the Sox extra hitter for the night. He would throw another wild pitch to right fielder Partick Shipman, making it a one-run ball game.
Two batters later, Mason Collins would pinch hit for third baseman Camdin Jansen, and would come up big with a two-run single to give the Rapids their first lead of the game 6-5.
Sox Capitalize
The Sox would not go quietly in the bottom of the eighth inning. Kael Clarkson was in his second inning of work and allowed a one out single to McClure, who would steal his third base of the game, giving him sole possession of third place on the all-time list.
Two batters later, left fielder Kevin Denty would pop the ball high in the infield, Kramer would lose in the bright lights of Murnane Field, allowing McClure to score and tie the game up at six.
Three batters later, the Sox would load the bases, and with two men out, Clarkson would strike out center fielder Jayden Ohmer to end the inning.
Rapids Come up Big in Extras
After Williams and Rapids reliver Kolby Robinson would work out of two on and two out jams, the game would go into extra innings, and the Rapids would pounce.
Charlie Collins would relieve Williams in the top of the tenth, and as per PGCBL rules, a courtesy runner would start the inning. This would set up to connect for a two-run homer to put the Rapids up 8-6.
Kramer’s Two-Run Homer. Timothy Charvat, 2024.
Later in the inning, the Rapids loaded the bases and with one man out, Connor Sackett, who replaced Sullivan as catcher in the eighth, would connect for a flyball that Ohmer would drop, allowing two more runs to score, putting Watertown up 10-6.
This would be more than enough for Robinson to retire the Sox in the bottom half of the frame to secure the victory.
What’s Next
The Blue Sox look to celebrate Independence Day in style as they travel to Watertown, looking for payback against the Rapids. The first pitch is at 6:30 p.m.
Comentários