Blue Sox skid continues after 5-2 loss to Danbury
By Mary Merensky
HOLYOKE – The Valley Blue Sox dropped their third consecutive game after suffering a 5-2 loss to the Danbury Westerners on Saturday night. The Blue Sox had won their two previous matchups against Danbury but struggled to get on base early in tonight's game, which contributed to the outcome.
The top of the first inning came and went for the Blue Sox as Danbury’s starting pitcher, Cole Gibson, retired the batters in order, giving the Westerners a chance to set the tone. For Valley, Andrew Oppenheimer made his season debut, joining the team due to personnel changes in the Blue Sox’s bullpen.
Postgame, head coach John Raiola touched on having players come onto the team in the middle of the season, but made it clear that he has to rely on those who have been here from the beginning.
“It does take some guys here and there to come in and replace some guys that we lost,” said Raiola. “Our core is our core [and] they are all here for a reason…they know what it takes to be successful at this level.”
Oppenheimer began the bottom of the inning by walking the lead-off hitter, Jack Lutte, who advanced to second when Kyle Garbowski grounded out. Collin Mowry then hit an RBI double with Lutte in scoring position, giving Danbury an early 1-0 lead.
Gibson continued his impressive start in the second by retiring the batters in order once again, but this time Oppenheimer followed suit, quickly regrouping from his first inning.
Valley still had trouble finding a way on base in the third, and Danbury kept capitalizing on the Blue Sox’s shortcomings as Noel Rivera got walked, advanced to second, and scored on a wild pitch, putting Valley behind 2-0.
The fifth inning had Valley getting two men on base when Eddison Esquivel hit a single out to center field, and Nick Tomasetto was walked. Unfortunately, the next three hitters were retired by Gibson, ending Valley’s chance at a scoring opportunity.
Danbury did not waste any time starting the bottom of the frame as Peter Link hit a long homer out to center field, extending the deficit to 3-0. However, Anthony Grabau responded with a home run of his own during the sixth, leading the team in the home run category and getting Valley their first tally of the game.
The Blue Sox finally got the momentum on their side with Trevor Harmon getting walked and moving to second off another Esquivel single. Nick Tomasetto hit a single of his own and sent Harmon home, bringing Valley within one run of a tie game.
Owen Basso replaced Oppenheimer in the bottom of the sixth and ended up loading the bases after hitting Ronan Donohue with a pitch and walking Michael Delph and Gavin Donohue. Basso then threw a wild pitch that allowed Ronan Donohue to score Danbury's fourth run.
There were no runs scored in the seventh, and unlike Danbury, Valley was not able to get on the board in the eighth. The final run of the game was another home run from the Westerners as Gavin Donohue hit the ball out of Rogers Park, putting a late Blue Sox comeback out of reach.
Valley’s focus now shifts to their next game, and Coach Raiola spoke about what he hopes to see from his team when they play the Sharks.
“More compete, more fight, more energy,” said Raiola. “Tomorrow’s a new day…and [an] opportunity to put together a more complete game.”
The Valley Blue Sox are right back at it on Sunday night, where they will head to the Shark Tank to take on Martha’s Vineyard. The game is set to begin at 7:05 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.