(June 19 Game)

By Connor Stalker, Blue Sox Staff Writer ( uticabluesox.net )

Glens Falls, N.Y.—The Blue Sox traveled to Glens Falls to take on the 3-5 Glens Falls Dragons. Looking to rebound after losing a close game at home against Amsterdam, Utica handed the ball off to local Notre Dame High School product Tom Roefaro. Roefaro was electric on the mound going 5 innings while only allowing 2 hits and 2 walks. Glens Falls’ bats could not get going, as Roefaro used a solid pitch mix to keep them off balance striking out 6 on the evening.

Glens Falls gave the nod to University of North Carolina starter and Glens Falls’ native Connor Bovair. Like Roefaro, Bovair kept hitters off balance striking out 6 in 4 innings of work while only allowing a walk and a hit. His defense struggled behind him making 5 errors throughout the game, resulting in Bovair giving up 2 earned runs.

In the top of the 5th, Glens Falls removed Bovair and brought in Bryan Camaj, a native of Saratoga Springs that currently pitches at Bryant and Stratton. After making relatively quick work of the Blue Sox in the 5th, the righthander ran into trouble in the 6th.

The Blue Sox exploded for 5 runs in the top of the 6th. Shortstop Andre Demetral began the inning with a leadoff walk. Centerfielder Easton Brenner then took 4 straight balls earning himself a walk and putting men on 1st and 2nd. Ben Partridge then laid a perfect bunt down the first base line that loaded the bases and notched his first hit of the night.

Slugger Will Shannon went down 0-2 before smoking a ball back up the middle that the pitcher struggled to handle, scoring Demetral. The pitcher proceeded to overthrow the 1st basemen allowing all runners to advance, making the score 4-0.

The Blue Sox did not stop there, as Partridge scored on a wild pitch, and right fielder Taylor Kaufman grounded out to plate another run. Camaj drilled newcomer outfielder C.J. Wisniewski, earning a quick hook. The Dragons then called on two-way player Zander Teator to pitch his squad out of the jam. Teator quickly got the first out before allowing a stolen base to Wisniewski and walking catcher Gavin Lacoe. Another wild pitch and then a single by Peter Adams scored Wisniewski increasing the lead to 7-0.

Coach Delett called on Brandon Millan to replace Roefaro in the bottom of the 6th. Millan looked impressive, quickly getting a 1-2-3 inning.

Will Shannon, in the top of the 7th, plated another run for the Blue Sox on a sky-high sac fly that scored Easton Brenner.  Back-to-back singles by Peter Adams and Adam Haidermota in the top of the 8th brought the Blue Sox into mercy rule territory, increasing their lead to 10-0. Toward the end of the inning, Brenner sent a ball to deep right field, scoring another run, making the score 11-0.

Flamethrower Avery Cook was given the ball in the bottom of the 8th to try and finish off the winning effort. The first batter hit a lazy pop fly that Haidermota easily caught at 3rd base. Cook easily overpowered the next 2 batters, striking out both.

The Blue Sox won easily, with a final score of 11-0. The bats were on fire, though Peter Adams was the lone batter to record a multi-hit game. This was a big game for Adams as he came into the day slumping, but really put together a strong performance at the plate. Partridge and Lacoe put together good showings, walking twice and getting a hit apiece. Easton Brenner led all batters scoring 3 runs, while also contributing an RBI. Arit Moreno and Odilio Cespedes were the top bats for the Dragons as they notched a hit and walk each.

The Blue Sox also showed off on the defensive end, with Easton Brenner throwing out a runner at home on an attempted sacrifice fly, while Peter Adams turned 2 on a hard line drive.

The Blue Sox improve to 6-7, good for 3rd place in the East Division, while Glens Falls drops to 2nd to last place, a game ahead of Watertown.

For those looking to see the Blue Sox again in action, they have a game in Little Falls versus division rival, Mohawk Valley, this coming Thursday.