HOLYOKE – Sunday was a statement game for the Valley Blue Sox against the North Adams Steeplecats.
Scoring in the first inning off a double hit by Chris Jans, the Blue Sox never trailed as they ultimately won 6-2.
However, the Steeplecats did not give up as they showcased their resilience against a strong Blue Sox team.
With the Blue Sox holding onto that 1-0 lead, both teams were in a stalemate going into the fifth inning. Pitcher Jax Traeger took early care of the Steeplecat offense at the top of the inning to give the bats back to the Blue Sox.
It was just the momentum needed to deliver a shot to blow the game wide open.
The Blue Sox did just that, starting with Jonathon Hogart’s RBI single, bringing Chris Jans home, and Michael O’Conor following it up with a highlight, two-run home run. When it was all said and done, the Blue Sox scored five total runs to extend their lead to 6-0.
The Steeplecats scored two runs over the last three innings, but the deficit was too large to overcome. The most intriguing aspect of this game was that both teams had eight total hits, yet the Blue Sox took advantage of far more to win.
In a game where, early on, precise hitting and scoring were going to be deciding factors for the victor, the Blue Sox came together as a team to deliver just that.
Throughout this season, it has been discussed that hitting was a “work in progress” for the Blue Sox and that they leaned on their pitching for many of their wins.
However, tonight, they proved that their hitting was also reliable when needed. It’s a significant stepping stone for the Blue Sox offense, and it helps them advance to a 2-0 season record over the Steeplecats and 8-5 overall.
With this win, the Blue Sox extend their win streak to three and tie the Bristol Blues for the top seed in the West Division once again. With a well-earned day off, the Blue Sox will be back in action on Tuesday night at home at Mackenzie Stadium to take on the Ocean State Waves (6-7).
With the first pitch shortly after 6:35 p.m., this game can also be streamed on the NECBL network and ESPN+.
