News

By: David Azer 

 

The Valley Blue Sox have defeated the North Adams SteepleCats 6-5, after walking off their second game of the day. Valley improved to 19-16-1 on the season, and now leads the West Division by a game. 

 

The Blue Sox were down 4-0 in the early goings of this game, fighting back to force extra innings. 

 

Nick Callano started the game for Valley, pitching three innings with two strikeouts while allowing three runs.

 

North Adams got on the board first, scoring two runs off an RBI double in the top of the first inning. 

 

The SteepleCats added another run in the top of the third off of a sacrifice fly, and added one more run off of a wild pitch in the top of the fourth to make it a 4-0 ballgame.

 

Two-way-player Cian Sahler took over for Callano in the top of the fourth inning. The left-hander pitched four innings, allowing just one run and striking out five batters. This was Sahler’s longest relief appearance of the season. 

 

Valley wasted no time mounting a comeback, scoring four runs to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. AJ Guerrero led off the inning with a single, followed by a double from Matt Bergevin. 

 

CJ Willis hit an RBI double to score both Guerrero and Bergevin. Collier Cranford hit an RBI single to score Willis, then Will Gale hit an RBI single to score Cranford and tie the game. Gale went 2-for-5 on the night with two RBIs.

 

Jason Arrigo took over for Sahler in the top of the eighth inning. The right-hander pitched three innings only allowing one unearned run to score, while striking out two batters.

 

The game remained tied at four after the bottom of the ninth, forcing the Blue Sox’ second extra inning game of the day. 

 

The SteepleCats scored one run off of a throwing error from Jason Arrigo in the top of the tenth.

 

Valley was able to tie the game once again after being down to their last out, when Collier Cranford hit an RBI single to score AJ Guerrero from third. 

 

The Blue Sox turned to position player CJ Willis to pitch a clean eleventh inning in an effort to save their arms. Willis delivered, pitching a shutout inning and putting himself in position to earn the win.

 

Valley had one final chance to win the game in the bottom of the eleventh inning. Jeff Pierantoni led off with a single, advancing the extra runner Cranford to third base. Pinch hitter Sean Scanlon was intentionally walked, then Will Gale hit a sacrifice fly to score Cranford and win the game for Valley. 

 

The Blue Sox are now 6-0-1 in extra inning games this season, and will hope to continue their hot streak on the road tomorrow with another divisional matchup vs. the Bristol Blues at 6:30 P.M.