Blue Sox Route the Defenders, Take Home 12-3 Victory
PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The Blue Sox took the short trip to Pittsfield to face the American Defenders and rewarded themselves with their tenth win of the season, routing the Defenders, 12-3.Through three innings, the Blue Sox found themselves down by a 3-0 score, after Blue Sox starter Taylor Wood blinked first by giving up three runs in the third.
But after scoring three runs of their own between the fourth and fifth innings, the Blues opened things up in a big way in the sixth.
Holyoke sent ten batters to the plate, garnered only three hits, but saw five men score. The back breaker for the Defenders was that there was only one hit with runners in scoring position, Mike Nemeth’s RBI single.
Four pitchers were used in the inning by Pittsfield, and two of them walked at least one batter with the bases loaded. For the Blues, Sean Rockey (George Washington), Jim Wood (Trinity C), and Steve Rodriguez (UCLA) walked in succession with the bases full.
After scoring eight unanswered runs against the Defenders, Wood was given a lead that he took advantage of, finishing six innings of work.
Pittsfield was kept at bay by his consistently quick fastball that created many outs. But what separated this start from the others by Wood was his ability to use his secondary pitches, making sure the Defenders could not settle into his fastball. The formula worked for the right-hander, only allowing the three runs.
Mike Sciaratta (Pace) came into the ball game for the Blues and erased his unsuccessful early season start in Pittsfield from memory. The Pace right-hander threw two scoreless innings, solidifying the victory for Holyoke.
The offense, though, was the story of the contest. The Blues put up 12 runs on 12 hits. Jim Wood continued his hitting streak in impressive fashion, compiling three hits in five at bats (while walking in the two other plate appearances). Wood’s streak now sits at eight.
It would be a mistake to not mention that the Blue Sox might suffer a loss coupled with their big win, as shortstop Michael Beltran (Utah) was taken out of the game after he fouled a pitch off of his left foot.
Rob Lawler (Buffalo) was entered into the game for him, and immediately stroked a single on the first pitch he saw despite inheriting a 1-2 count. It was that type of ball game at Wahconah Park, and Holyoke is happy about it.
The Blue Sox stay on the road, facing the Mountaineers in Montpelier, Vermont.
