HOLYOKE – The Valley Blue Sox took game one in a best-of three-series over the Sanford Mainers in the Northern Division Finals of the NECBL playoffs 4-2 Monday.
The Blue Sox did not get off to the start that they wanted to, as Johnny Rizer (TCU) plated the game’s first run with an RBI groundout giving the Mainers a quick 1-0 lead in the third inning. The Blue Sox answered in the bottom half of the third inning when Blue Sox shortstop Simon Whiteman (Yale University) hit a single to left field, plating the Blue Sox first run of the 2018 NECBL playoffs tying the game at 1-all.
The Sox were not done, as in the fourth inning Valley got a three-run offensive explosion starting with an RBI double by Benny Wanger (Yale University). Wanger was followed by two RBI singles by Mike Wroth (Herkimer County CC) and Jaylen Smith (Kennesaw State University) putting the Blue Sox ahead 4-1.
The Sanford Mainers refused to go away, as their catcher Josh Zberski (Southern New Hampshire University) was able to get ahold of a fastball by Blue Sox RHP Donovan Benoit (Tennessee University) putting the Mainers within two runs, at 4-2.
That was all the Mainers would get as the Blue Sox bullpen consisting of Hayden Manning (Southern New Hampshire University), Benny Wanger, and Ricky Reynoso (University of Pacific) were all able to shut the door on the Mainers and give the Blue Sox the first game of the series 4-2.
“In any series taking game one is huge,” head coach John Raiola said. “We rolled the dice tonight, Andrew Sipowicz gave us a chance to win tonight, and our offense strung some hits together and we were able to take a big first game.”
Blue Sox starter Andrew Sipowicz went the first five innings, giving up five hits and one run while striking out three Mainers.
The Blue Sox will hit the road Tuesday and try to take the series from the Sanford Mainers. The Blue Sox will return home on Wednesday for a final game (if necessary) against the Sanford Mainers or for game one of the NECBL Championship series against the Ocean State Waves who advanced to the finals by defeating the Plymouth Pilgrims. Be sure to follow the Blue Sox on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for all the latest up-to-date information regarding the 2018 playoff schedule. – Courtesy of Collin Quinn/Valley Blue Sox
