NORTH ADAMS, MA—A pitcher’s duel through seven ended in eighth inning disaster as an array of walks, errors, and wild pitches cost the Valley Blue Sox in a 5-0 loss to the North Adams SteepleCats at Joe Wolfe Field in the Berkshires.
Both starting pitchers faced the minimum through four, with the Blue Sox managing a walk and the SteepleCats an infield single, erased in both cases by double plays. Right fielder Joseph Carcone broke up the SteepleCats no-hit bid with a single through the left side with two outs in the fifth. He also made an incredible diving catch to rob the SteepleCats of a double in the home half of the inning.
The game remained scoreless through seven. In the top of the eighth, Carcone walked and catcher Justin Morhardt followed it with a first pitch single to right. However, the next two batters popped out to end the threat.
In the home half, John Pryor walked the first two batters, ending his day. Harrison Paige came in from the bullpen. However, a wild pitch and an error by the third baseman allowed the lead runner to score. The following batter singled through the shift to plate a second run. A wild pitch ended Paige’s day with a third run coming home.
Brooks Fortenberry came on, but he had no luck either, surrendering a bloop single to allow a fourth run. A fifth run came in on a fielder’s choice. Another walk loaded the bases, but the SteepleCats rolled over to end the frame.
The SteepleCats turned to closer Coley Bruns for the ninth, and center fielder Mendez Elder singled through the left side to lead off the frame. Third baseman Frank Crinella walked, but a great play at third turned into a double play and the next Blue Sox batter flew out to right to end the game.
The Blue Sox are off tomorrow, before returning to Mackenzie Stadium on Tuesday to take on Mariano Rivera Jr. and the Laconia Muskrats on HG&E Night. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6:35 p.m. start.