Schooners flip script on Blue Sox at Mackenzie

By Graham Goodman

The Valley Blue Sox fell 11-2 to the Mystic Schooners on July 3 at Mackenzie Stadium. Mystic got in front early with four runs in each the second and third innings, never looking back en route to a dominant victory.

The loss is the Blue Sox’s sixth in seventh games and the seventh time they have allowed 10 or more runs in the 2026 season. The Schooners flipped the script on a Blue Sox team that beat them 11-3, largely driven by nine early runs June 12. 

LHP Andrew Speranza (Marist) took the ball in his first Blue Sox start and lasted three innings, allowing eight earned runs in his debut on six hits. Blue Sox’s Head coach John Raiola said Speranza was put in a tough start for his first appearance.

“Not to make excuses, but in reality he drove two hours to get here in 104 degrees and didn't know anybody, and here you go,” Raiola said. “... Obviously it didn't go the way that he wanted, and kind of snowballed on us from there.”

Speranza was the third new Blue Sox’s player to join the team in the past week and make a start in his first appearance. However his start went south quickly and was essentially ended by a three-run home run into the Blue Sox bullpen. It was only the second home run hit at Mackenzie Stadium this season.

The Valley bullpen did well cleaning up the mess, pitching the remaining six innings without allowing an earned run. LHP Mike Madigan (George Mason), RHP Lukas Jachens (SUNY Oneonta) and RHP Jason Pinsonnault (Western New England) combined for a line of zero earned runs, five hits, one walk and three strikeouts.

For Pinsonnault, who has been a frequent late innings pitcher for Valley, it was business as usual. Pinsonnault has not allowed an earned run since June 14, a span where he has thrown eight innings.

“Just been mixing well,” Pinsonnault said. “Everything's felt good. I've been able to command everything. Being able to command and mix with all three has been the biggest thing for me.”

While the bullpen did not have any earned runs, Mystic did score three times after Speranza exited, largely due to some shaky defense from a Valley team that made five errors, a season high.

The Blue Sox are in their roughest stretch of play this season. They have lost six of their last seven games and dropped to fifth in the South Division.

Despite the tough run of games, Raiola is still optimistic that his team can grind their way out of a rut.

“One thing we just talked about is June is over,” Raiola said. “Be the best July hitter, be the best July pitcher that we have. Everyone should be striving for that.”