Strong starting pitching continues to drive Blue Sox’s success

By Graham Goodman

The Valley Blue Sox (6-1-1) took down the Danbury Westerners (3-5) by a score of 4-2 June 13, driven heavily by strong pitching performances from RHP Jackson Hinchliffe (Richmond) and RHP Jake LeFrancois (UMass Lowell).

It was the second night in a row where the Blue Sox’s starter pitched at least five complete innings and was relieved by one pitcher who finished the rest of the game. 

The ability of Valley’s starters to consistently work efficiently through the fifth inning as well as head coach John Raiola’s willingness to keep his starters in the game seemingly have a correlation to the team’s early success. Opponents in 2026 have not left a starting pitcher in more than 3.2 innings against the Blue Sox. Valley has done so in all but one game this season.

“It's all them and their ability to throw strikes and to get off the field,” Raiola said. “We talk a lot about trying to get length in five or six innings, whatever it is. But the reality is, it's pitch count more than anything. And if we have quick, efficient innings, then they can keep going.”

Hinchliffe did exactly that on Saturday night. His final line from June 13 was six innings pitched, four hits, zero earned runs, three strikeouts, and zero walks, all on 70 pitches. LeFrancois, who earned the nine out save, pitched three innings, allowing one hit, one earned run, striking out two and walking none.

“100 percent,” Hinchliffe said when asked if his performance showcased the kind of pitcher he’s built himself to be. “With the two-seam sinker thing, just getting weak contact early in counts allows you to get deep in games, save the bullpen and let the defense work.”

As of the morning of June 14, Hinchliffe and RHP Dylan Reid (Brown) lead the NECBL in innings pitched, each with 11.0. 

Hinchliffe’s second start was a nice recovery after his first start of the season where he lasted five innings, but allowed five earned runs and five hits. For LeFrancois, it was his fourth appearance of the season and his second in three days. 

With the Blue Sox still waiting on select arms to join the team for the summer, the bullpen has stepped up in a major fashion with relievers recording longer outings in order to preserve other pitcher’s arms.

“When you play every single day you can't just go 1-1-1 and not have guys available,” Raiola said. “You need some length at times and you have in this case, [LeFrancois] down for a couple days. We have the off day on Tuesday, and we'll get him back on Wednesday. And so, it sets us up nicely for Sunday and Monday.”

With the Blue Sox off to one of the hottest starts in the NECBL, the team mentality will not change.

“We talk about it all the time, it is: short memory, show up, continue to get better every single day,” Raiola said. “Let the process dictate what the results are going to be.”