By Connor Stalker, Blue Sox Staff Writer

Utica, N.Y.—There was no walk-off hangover for the Blue Sox as they continued their recent hot streak by sweeping the Watertown Rapids in a doubleheader at Murnane Field.

The first game started promptly at 5:17 pm with local star Avery Cook on the mound. The game proved to be quite the pitchers’ dual with both teams remaining scoreless through 6 innings.

In the bottom of the 7^th, the Blue Sox plated the first run of the game, and it was a big one, as left fielder C.J. Wisniewski roped a single down the left field line to score Easton Brenner. The run-scoring single marked the 3^rd walk-off in a row for the Blue Sox, an impressive feat that has provided a necessary boost on the field and in the clubhouse.

Cook threw 4 scoreless innings allowing 4 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 3. Alex Canino earned his first win of the summer in an impressive relief outing. Canino allowed 0 runs through 3 innings, improving his ERA to 4.91. Jonah Shearer looked very solid on the mound going 6 and 1/3^rd striking out 9, though this was not enough as he was handed the loss for giving up the game-winning run.

Utica finished the game with 7 hits, including a 2 for 3 performance from 3^rd baseman Kyuss Gargett. On the opposite end, Watertown tallied 5 hits, with Gaetan Grandelli being the only batter to compile a multi-hit game.

The 2^nd game of the doubleheader began with no problem as lefty Cole Syversen started the game for the Blue Sox righthander Sean Decker-Jacoby. Pitching again dominated the game, as the Blue Sox snuck by the Rapids in the contest 3-1.

Syversen looked good on the mound going 4 innings allowing only a single run and earning the win. Jordan Savinon dominated in relief pitching 3 innings without giving up a run and striking out 5.

Sean Decker-Jacoby continued to struggle on the mound. He gave up 3 runs and was handed the loss, though he did improve his ERA to 9.41.

The Rapids got the scoring started first in the top of the 2nd on a hard ground ball single by Grandelli that scored Nick Mazzotta.

The Blue Sox retaliated and tied the game in the bottom of the 3^rd on a line-drive double by Josh Skowronski. They then increased the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the 4^th on a double down the right field line by Taylor Kaufman that scored 2.

Savinon’s relief outing would prove to be enough to hold off the Rapids’ bats as the Blue Sox walked away with their 2^nd win of the day, 3-1.

Taylor Kaufman and Alejandro Rodriguez looked good at the plate with each nabbing 2 hits. Skowronski, Kaufman, and Peter Adams also contributed doubles to the winning effort.

Grandelli continued his tear at the plate going to 2 for 2 with a walk, though for the most part Utica’s pitching quieted Watertown’s bats.

The Blue Sox pitching really shined allowing only one run in 14 innings. The back-to-back wins increased the Blue Sox’s winning streak to 4 games, an important development as they chase down the 2^nd position in the division. As of today, the Blue Sox are only 2 games back of the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs and are closing in fast.

The Blue Sox return to action tonight, June 8th, at 6 pm in Watertown.