Bristol remains undefeated against Valley in 7-5 win
By Mary Merensky
HOLYOKE – The Bristol Blues (15-13) handed the Valley Blue Sox (10-14-1) their 14th loss of the season, defeating them 7-5. Bristol has won all four games they have played against Valley this summer, largely due to their ability to score runs early and deny the Blue Sox any momentum.
Bristol was able to take a 3-0 lead in the first inning off a bases-loaded opportunity. Nicholas Francuzenko (Towson) reached first base on a fielder’s choice, resulting in Nick Flores (VCU) scoring.
Mitchel Brown (Nichols) then loaded the bases once again, and with Cal Chance (UMass Lowell) up to bat, Brown gave up a 2 RBI single that sent Francuzenko and Antonio Ducatelli (Fairfield) home.
The Blue Sox responded in the bottom of the frame by scoring two runs of their own. Bristol’s pitcher, Ty Davis (Bryant), walked Nick Tomasetto (Seton Hall) and Jacob Dilley (UNC Greensboro), which put men on first and second for Nick Spaventa (Penn).
Spaventa hit an RBI single out to center field that allowed Tomasetto to score, and after a wild pitch from Davis, Dilley made his way home as well, making it a one-run game.
Valley pulling within one did not shake the Blues at all as they had three runs and five hits in the second, with all nine of Bristol’s batters having an at-bat. Brown started the inning for the Blue Sox, but after giving up two quick singles, Michael Madigan (George Mason) replaced him on the mound.
Despite the pitching change, Bristol’s offense continued to pile on another three runs, with two of those runs coming from a Blue Sox error with the bases loaded. The Blues' final run of the inning came from Thomas Zwirecki (Rutgers), hitting an RBI single that had Christopher DiPrima (Yale) putting Bristol up 6-2.
The score held until the fourth inning, where each team added a run to their tally. Justin Ruiz (High Point) singled to center field, allowing Zwirecki to score for Bristol, and Matt Wolfe (Middle Tennessee) doubled, which had Gabriel Cavazzoni (Seton Hall) scoring the Blue Sox's third run.
Bristol had the opportunity to score an eighth run in this inning as well, but an incredible throw from left-fielder Jacob Dilley to catcher Chris Cancel (UConn) let Valley get the runner out at home.
The Blue Sox had the final two runs of the game in the fifth inning, the first coming from a Nico Soul (Appalachian St.) double that brought in Spaventa, and the second off a Cancel single that had Soul scoring.
Though Valley is yet to get a win over Bristol this season, they will have two more chances when they take on the Blues at Muzzy Field on July 17.
The Valley Blue Sox will head to Keene, New Hampshire, on July 11 to take on the Swamp Bats, who are the reigning NECBL champions. The game will begin at 6:35 p.m. and is available to stream on NECBL+.