NORTH ADAMS, MA—The Valley Blue Sox suffered another heartbreaking loss, falling 5-4 on a walk-off single against the North Adams SteepleCats at Joe Wolfe Field on June 20.
The Blue Sox wasted no time in getting on the board, as left fielder Storm Wilson hit a double down the left field line on the first pitch. Designated hitter Angelo La Bruna came to the plate next, and after taking a wild pitch that allowed Wilson to move to third, hit a grounder to short that allowed Wilson to score.
The game remained scoreless until the sixth, when the SteepleCats took advantage of mental errors by the Blue Sox. A hit batsmen led off the frame, and after he stole second, he was driven in by a single. Another stolen base, followed by a throwing error by the catcher allowed a second run to score. Yet another error in right allowed a third run to score, and a sacrifice fly plated the fourth.
Valley got a run back in the seventh, as third baseman Frank Crinella drew a bases-loaded walk; the team could not bring in any further runs.
However, in the eighth, the Blue Sox came roaring back. Right fielder Bobby Stahel was hit by the first pitch of the inning, and then second baseman Joseph Carcone used ten pitches before driving a double down the left field line. Shortstop Garrett Black hit a grounder to score Stahel, and then Carcone came in on a wild pitch to tie the score 4-4.
The Blue Sox had a chance to score, with second and third in the ninth, but could not bring in the run. That proved fatal, as the SteepleCats worked a walk, a single, and a liner to right to end the game with a 5-4 win.
The Blue Sox return to Mackenzie Stadium on Saturday, June 21 to take on the Vermont Mountaineers in a doubleheader. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for the 5:35 p.m. game one start. The Red Sox World Series Trophies will be at Mackenzie Stadium from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.