Blue Sox fall to Newport in 12-11 slugfest

By Kate Endres 

The Valley Blue Sox fell to the Newport Gulls on Wednesday at Cardines Field in walk-off fashion. The Blue Sox (8-7-1) held a three-run advantage heading into the ninth, but after two outs and a bases-loaded situation, the Gulls (9-6-1) hit a bases-clearing walk-off double for the win.

“The most important thing is, the things that we didn't do well, continue to be aware of them, continue to work hard and clean it up,” head coach John Raiola said.

The Gulls were patient at the plate and put balls in play, loading the bases and cutting the lead to two on a hit-by-pitch. First baseman Brandon Larson (USC) laced a double into the right-center-field triangle, ending the game.

Valley did not trail until the final batter of the game and led for the majority of the contest while logging season highs in hits and home runs. The Blue Sox tallied 19 hits to the Gulls’ 10.

The Blue Sox scored in each of the first five innings and plated 11 runs through seven separate innings. Their lead reached five after the top of the seventh inning at 10-5.

The Blue Sox came out swinging, putting two on the board in the first frame of play. After an Alberti single and a Jack Myers (Georgia Southern) line drive to left put runners on the corners, Anthony Grabau (Fordham) hit a double down the right-field line to send Alberti home. Nick Tomasetto (Seton Hall) also singled to center, scoring Myers for the second run of the game.

“One of the positives today is a lot of really good swings and quality at-bats,” Raiola said.

While Newport responded with a Caeden Cloud (Kentucky) homer to right, Valley responded with one of its own. Catcher Joshua Toole (Coastal Carolina) needed only two pitches before sending one over the right-field fence. Grabau also launched a homer to right in the fourth inning, marking the shortstop’s third home run of the season.

Multiple Blue Sox had stellar days at the plate, with the first three batters in Valley’s order tallying at least three hits, and six Blue Sox recording multi-hit games.

While Valley remained consistent at the plate, so did the Gulls. With a five-run advantage in the middle of the seventh inning, Newport remained calm and composed. Of the 37 pitches thrown in the inning, only seven were called strikes, while five Gulls drew walks. While no hits were registered in the inning, Newport managed to get three more on the board, cutting the lead to two heading into the eighth.

“It’s one of those things where we're one play, one pitch, one out away from turning the page, and even in [a] win or lose [situation], the rest of the game happened,” Raiola said.

While Alberti managed to put another run on the board in the top of the ninth after two wild pitches, it wasn’t enough cushion to run away with the win.

“These things happen, but sometimes it’s the best thing that can happen,” Raiola said. “You can ramp it up … and once you find that gear, hopefully you’re better off for it.”

The Blue Sox return to Mackenzie Field to play the Bristol Blues on Friday. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. and all of the action can be streamed on NECBL+.