WOODSTOCK, Va. – The Charlottesville Tom Sox played their first road doubleheader of the season on Sunday, June 6th against Woodstock, splitting the games with the River Bandits. After dropping game one with a score of 4-3, the Tom Sox came back in stellar fashion winning game two 4-1.
In the bottom of the first, a fielding error by right fielder Makenzie Pate (Coastal Carolina) allowed the River Bandits’ Willy Escala to score from first on a single. The Tom Sox answered in the second inning, with Alex Urban (Clemson) hitting the first home run of the season to dead center tying the game at one a piece. The next batter, Pate, hit a fly ball to deep left field that was initially ruled a home run, but was ruled off and reduced to a ground rule double. Pate would later score on a double by Gehrig Ebel (Virginia Tech), bringing the score to 2-1.
After having the first two batters of the inning retired, the River Bandits kickstarted a two out rally. With the bases loaded, Jaylon Lee put Woodstock ahead with a two RBI double. The next batter, Jacob Williams, gave the Bandits a needed insurance run with his RBI single. While the Tom Sox escaped the inning, they now trailed 4-2. The Tom Sox attempted to come back in the fifth thanks to an RBI single by Alex Urban, they went on to lose the first game of the day by a final score of 4-3.
In the second game, the Tom Sox pitching staff had their most impressive showing so far this season, with the lone returning player, Jacob Haney (William & Mary), showing out in his season debut. Through three innings, the William and Mary pitcher struck out five without allowing a single hit. In total, the Tom Sox staff combined for twelve strikeouts. Christian Worley (Virginia Tech) struck out five of the seven batters he faced in his two innings of relief work.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Tom Sox bats came alive in the second game. In the top of the second, with two men on, Gehrig Ebel lined a single into right field, clearing the bases. From this point on, Charlottesville never trailed, going on to win with a score of 4-1. Notably, Tom Sox baserunners had eight stolen bases, setting a new club record.
With their second win under their belt, the Tom Sox will return home Monday night to face the Staunton Braves at 7 pm. Fans can follow along live via the Tom Sox social media channels or come out to Crutchfield Park and enjoy free of charge thanks to Carter Bank and Trust.
