Outlaws Celebrating Their Victory. Timothy Charvat, 2024
The Blue Sox were looking to get back on track Monday Night. After losing a nailbiter 5-4 against the Saugerties Stallions, the Sox traveled to Oneonta to face off against the Outlaws.
Instead of rebounding, the Sox would fall to the Outlaws 9-3.
First Shot Taken
The Blue Sox would be the first to strike in the top of the second inning, as with the bases loaded and nobody out, right fielder Kevin Denty would connect for a bloop single off Outlaws starter Brian Dengler to give the Sox an early lead. In the next at bat, catcher Luke Shahin would connect for a sacrifice fly to extend the lead 2-0.
Later in the inning, with the bases loaded and two out, Outlaws manager Keaton Mark would remove Dengler after an inning and two-thirds in favor of Chris Ubner. He would get center fielder Damien Witty to fly out to end the inning.
Back and Forth
The Outlaws would respond in the bottom of the third inning, as with the bases loaded and one man out, shortstop Brendan Connolly would connect for a two run double off Blue Sox starter Tom Roefaro to tie the game up at two. Two batters later, Roefaro would get out of the inning getting a pickoff at third base to end the threat.
The Blue Sox would immediately respond in the top of the fourth inning, as designated hitter Trace Hartman would lead off with a booming double to left field. After advancing to third base on a groundout by third baseman Max French, Denty would connect for a sacrifice fly to right field to put the Sox back up front 3-2.
Hartman Scoring on Denty Sacrifice Fly. Timothy Charvat, 2024
Roefaro Quality Performance
Despite the shaky third inning, Roefaro would pitch well over three and two thirds innings, working out of multiple jams throughout his outing. However, manager Doug Delett would take him out of the game with one on and two outs in favor of Nick Hios.
He would get Outlaws first baseman Chase Armstrong to strike out, ending the inning.
Outlaws Come to Life
After the Outlaw bats were kept quiet through the first five innings, they came alive in the bottom of the sixth inning. The inning would begin with Hios hitting Connolly on the first pitch and would advance to second on a wild pitch.
This would set up Jacoby Dale to connect for an RBI single to center field to tie the game up at three. Two batters later, with runners on the corners, Hios would get designated hitter Colton Harrison to strike out and catch Dale trying to advance home on a pass ball to complete an unusual double play.
The next batter left fielder Brody Raleigh would ground the ball to Blue Sox shortstop Gabe Cavazzoni, that would go under his glove allowing right fielder Jake Hopko to score on the error to give the Outlaws their first lead of the game.
Three batters later, with the bases loaded and two men out, Outlaws catcher Jeremy
Taggart would connect for a two-run single to increase their lead further. During the next at bat, Hios would attempt a pickoff throw to first, but would instead throw the ball low allowing another run to score, capping off a five-run inning by the Outlaws to lead 7-3.
Outlaws Add Salt to the Wound
Ubner would keep the Blue Sox bats at bay, as he would pitch five innings of one run ball, striking out seven. But the Sox threatened in the top of the seventh inning, as with the bases loaded and two men out Ubner would be removed from the game to a standing ovation from the Oneonta crowd for Clay Cox.
He would get first baseman Matthew Williams to strikeout looking to end the threat.
Clay Con Striking out Matthew Willimas. Timothy Charvat, 2024
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Aiden Murray would come in for the Blue Sox, but would also get into trouble. With the bases loaded and two men out, Raleigh would ground the ball to Sox third baseman Max French, who would throw the ball pass Williams allowing the Outlaws to score two to put the game out of reach 9-3.
The Blue Sox would make one more comeback attempt in the ninth inning, as they would put two men on and two out against Cox. Unfortunately, the Outlaws reliver would get Witty to fly out to end the game.
Notable Stats
The Outlaws have beaten the Blue Sox for the first time since June 3, 2023, and now improve to 6-2, the third best record in the PGCBL.
Matthew Williams returned to the lineup for the first time since getting beaned on the helmet on June 3 against the Booneville Lumberjacks. He would go hitless in four at bats.
What’s Next
The Sox will be looking to get back on track on Tuesday June 11, as they host the Stallions for a chance at returning the favor. The first pitch is at 6:45.
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