By Connor Stalker, Blue Sox Staff Writer, and Rocco Pandolfo, Group Sales Intern

Behind a strong showing from Norris McClure, the Blue Sox eased past the Boonville Lumberjacks 6-3. On the mound, Coach Doug Delett called on lefty Brandon Scott to make his 2^nd start of the summer. Thus far, Scott has posted a 9.53 ERA, though he has looked much better than his ERA shows. Opposite of Scott, the Lumberjacks called on Jacob Phillips, a right-hander out of Guilford College, who has maintained a 4.81 ERA through 5 appearances.

The game started slow with both pitchers opening the game with 3 scoreless innings. The Blue Sox struck for the first run in the top of the 4^th. On a 1-0 pitch from Phillips, Taylor Kaufman lined a single to right field that scored Andre Demetral.

Boonville’s bats responded quickly in the bottom of the 4^th. With men on 1^st and 3^rd, Scott picked off the runner on 1^st base. The runner on 3^rd then took off for home. Norris McClure made a perfect throw to home, which catcher Will Radich fumbled, allowing the runner to score, tying the game.

Blue Sox batters broke the game open in the top of the 5^th. Ryan Rifenberg led off the inning with a single. After Phillips got the first out of the inning, he walked Will Radich. The next batter, Peter Adams, hit a ground ball to short that was fielded cleanly, but thrown past the 1^st baseman, allowing Rifenberg to score and the other runners to advance to 2^nd and 3^rd. Andre Demetral came to the plate and hit a fly ball to center field increasing the lead to 2. The Blue Sox scored their 3^rd run of the inning on a sharp groundball to right field by McClure.

In the top of the 7^th, the Blue Sox added to their lead on a line drive double to the warning track by McClure, netting himself his 8^th RBI on the season.

Andre Demetral plated the Blue Sox’s final run of the game in the top of the 9^th on a single to center field.

With Trey Sejnoha on the mound, the Lumberjacks threatened a late comeback, however, Sejnoha worked out of the jams in both the 8^th and 9^th innings allowing only 2 runs to score.

The final score of the game was 6-3, in favor of the Blue Sox. Scott threw a gem on the mound, earning his 1^st win of the season, while also striking out an impressive 10 batters, and allowing only 1 run. Jacob Phillips was handed the loss after going 5 innings, giving up 4 runs.

Norris McClure was the player of the game going 3 for 5 with 2 RBI, and a 2B. The top of the order was also on fire with Kyuss Gargett and Andre Demetral getting 2 hits apiece, with Gargett walking twice, and Demetral knocking in 2 runs. The combined effort of Scott and Sejnoha held the Lumberjacks’ bats to just 3 hits.

The Blue Sox improve to 9-9 on the season, while Lumberjacks fall to 6-15. Blue Sox are back at it again tonight at 6:45 at home.