HOLYOKE – Behind five shutout innings that featured six strikeouts from starting pitcher Luke Benneche, the No. 6 Bristol Blues defeated No. 3 Valley Blue Sox 10-3 during Game 3 of the New England Collegiate Baseball League quarterfinals on Wednesday evening at McKenzie Stadium.
After losing the opening game of this matchup, Bristol outscored Valley 15-3 during the final two games to claim the best-of-three series 2-1.
“I wished we could’ve done more things to win this game,” Blue Sox coach Pedro Santiago said. “It seemed like things carried over from yesterday’s game. It took us a while to put some good at-bats together.”
The Blues will now travel to face No. 5 Sanford Mainers at Goodall Park for a best-of-three semifinals matchup, with first pitch scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
In a losing effort, Valley starting pitcher Dillon Ryan allowed six runs, five hits, three walks and struck out two during three innings of action. The right-hander also committed one error.
Collier Cranford (two), William Gale (one), Matthew Bergevin (one), Jeff Pierantoni (one), Christopher Willis (one), and Michael Zarrillo (one) combined for their team’s seven hits as the Blue Sox finished the season at 24-20.
Despite the result, it remained a memorable season as Valley outlasted those same Blues to claim the West Division by one game. The Blue Sox also made their first postseason appearance since being crowned back-to-back NECBL champions in 2018.
“We had a great year for sure,” Santiago said. “We took everything one at a time. We wanted to win the division and make a good run, and I think we accomplished that much. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t put it together and continue playing.”
Following a leadoff single from Jordan Peyton, the right-hander quickly stole second.
But Peyton didn’t stay long, as he was awarded third base once Ryan was called for a balk. Moments later, Gavin Noriega brought him home with an infield grounder to ensure Bristol an opening 1-0 lead for the third consecutive postseason game.
Things only worsened for Valley during the second.
After securing the first out, Joey Rios and Billy Sullivan earned back-to-back walks. Moments later, Ryan noticed Sullivan halfway to second as the Blues attempted a double steal. But as Sullivan forced a pickle, Rios headed home.
The Blue Sox could not catch the lead runner, as the relay throw sailed into the backstop. Bristol’s offense wasn’t finished, though, as Connor Goodman recorded a run-scoring double to help the Blues triple their lead to 3-0 after two innings.
For a moment, it seemed like Valley might escape the third inning unscathed.
But things quickly changed, as Skye Selinsky earned a sacrifice fly to plate Tyler Fote. With runners on the corner, Ryan got Rios swinging for the second out. It didn’t matter, though, as Sullivan countered with a two-run single to extend Bristol’s cushion to 6-0.
Despite the Blues adding four combined insurance runs through the fifth and seventh innings, the Blue Sox’ offense found their groove during the bottom seven against Bristol relief pitcher Jack Kelly.
After failing to score during their last 15 combined innings, Bergevin greeted the newcomer with a leadoff double. Cranford then followed with a single to move runners onto the corners.
Once Christian Fagnant walked to load the bases, Pierantoni spoiled the potential shutout with an RBI single to score Bergevin with one out. The threat was shortlived, though, as Gale (strikeout) and AJ Guerrero (ground out) posted back-to-back outs to leave the bases loaded.
But the Blue Sox quickly rebounded from the previous inning. Zarrillo took advantage of this bases-loaded opportunity with a two-run single that scored Willis and Bergevin to cut Valley’s deficit to 10-3.
Despite the Blue Sox threatening for more with multiple runners on the basepath, Kohtaro Shimada grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the eighth inning.
“Early on, we didn’t get many of those,” said Santiago of the multiple bases-loaded opportunities. “But then we started to make some things happen. There are some really good guys on this team. It will be fun to track them next year and see what they are doing back at school.”
