Behind a six-inning effort that featured three runs (two earned) and four strikeouts from starting pitcher Ethan Lyke, the Valley Blue Sox defeated the Upper Valley Nighthawks 11-5 at home Sunday afternoon.
Eight of the nine starting players, including Logan Hugo (2-for-3), Michael O’Conor (2-for-4), and Will Hindle (2-for-5), showcased the team’s balanced performance by each recording at least one hit.
With the trio of Logan Hugo, Michael O’Conor, and Will Hindle combining for 10 RBIs, the Blue Sox (15-15-0) have claimed victory in six of their last 10 games.
Relief pitchers Naaveen Narayanan and Matthew Tabet further solidified the team’s performance by allowing only two combined runs during the final three innings.
Upper Valley started the game with a sacrifice fly from Cole Fellows, scoring Trey Christman and ensuring the road team an opening 1-0 lead. Despite a scoreless second inning, the Blue Sox responded with four runs in the bottom of the third inning to move ahead for good.
The game’s turning point came when Jonathan Hogart, with a two-run home run, initiated the Blue Sox’s comeback against Nighthawks pitcher Chris Mattioli. The 21-year-old pitcher allowed four hits, four earned runs, and one strikeout over 2.2 innings pitched.
The offense continued in the third inning, as Lucas Manning was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score O’Conor from third. Hindle then completed the effort with an infield fielder choice, allowing Jay Bant to cross the plate and move Valley ahead 4-1.
After two more runs during the fourth inning, O’Conor ended the fifth inning with a run-scoring double that plated Hugo from third and extended their team’s cushion to eight.
However, it wasn’t smooth sailing from there. Upper Valley kept things close with four combined runs during the final four innings. But it wasn’t enough, as Valley recorded multiple insurance runs during the eighth inning to come away victorious.
The Blue Sox now trail the first-place Bristol Blues by one game in the West Division as they hit the road to compete against the Mystic Schooners on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
