By Connor Stalker, Blue Sox Staff Writer
Watertown, N.Y.– On the back of a strong outing by Holden de Jong, the Blue Sox took one from the Rapids on their home field. After losing a close one 5-3 earlier in the season, the Blue Sox got their revenge putting the Rapids away 6-1.
Coach Delett called on Holden de Jong to start the game, and he did not disappoint throwing 4 innings of 3 hit ball while allowing only 1 ER and striking out 2.
Watertown started Southpaw Cory Arthur. On June 4th, Arthur threw a gem against Mohawk Valley giving up only 2 runs in 5.0 innings of work. He was not able to repeat his performance giving up 6 runs in a little over 4 innings pitched.
In the top of the 1st, Ben Partridge stayed hot ripping a hard ground ball up the middle. With Will Shannon at the plate, Partridge advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch before the catcher made an error allowing him to score.
The Blue Sox jumped on Arthur again in the 2nd inning, scoring Andre Demetral and Taylor Kaufman on a Ryan Rifenberg single to right. The single marked Rifenberg’s first at-bat and first hit as a member of the Blue Sox. In the bottom of the 2nd, the Rapids rallied for their first run of the ballgame, a sac fly by 1st baseman Pranvav Sundar. The run represented the first earned run given up by Holden de Jong thus far this summer, giving him an impressive, earned run average of 1.23.
Neither side struck for any more runs until the 5th inning when the Blue Sox bats put 3 more on the board. Will Radich began the inning with a lineout to left field before Pablo Santos reached on a hard infield single. Easton Brenner struck out swinging, however, Todd Abraham drew a walk putting men on 1st and 2nd. Another base knock by Ben Partridge loaded the bases for Will Shannon who sent a high sky fly to deep center field. The center fielder Quentin Perilli misplayed the ball leading to all 3 runs scoring and giving the Blue Sox a 6-1 lead, they would hold for the rest of the game.
The relief corps for the Blue Sox staunched any sort of offense for Watertown giving up only 2 hits the rest of the game. Trey Sejnoha, a South Dakota native, pitched a scoreless inning, as did Kris Giangreco and Avery Cook whose fastball looked electric in the 9th. Giangreco and Cook also struck out the final 6 batters of the game. Daniel Jirgal also put together a solid outing working 2 innings of 2 hit ball.
De Jong was awarded the win for his efforts improving to 1-0, while Cory Arthur was given the loss, bringing his record to 1-1. Ben Partridge continued his hot streak going 3 for 3 with a stolen base and increasing his batting average to .458. Taylor Kaufman also put together a solid night going 2 for 4. Todd Abraham and Ryan Rifenberg also swiped bags.
The Blue Sox improved their record to 3-5, with hopes of continuing their ascent toward the top half of the standings. Watertown falls to 3-6, good for 7th place out of 9 teams.
The Blue Sox have a day off before playing Watertown at home this coming Monday, June 12th at 6:45 PM.