CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – In the third inning, Kyle Langley (James Madison) stepped into the batters’ box with one out. The rising junior had two runners on base, with his Tom Sox trailing, 1-0.
Charlottesville’s leadoff man took a strike. Then, he walloped the next pitch over the right fielder’s head, scoring Elijah Coston (VCU) and Jesus Cesari (Southeast Arkansas) before motoring into third base with a stand-up triple. Langley’s three-bagger was the first for any Tom Sox hitter in 2025, and the first of the team’s six extra-base hits in Friday’s duel with Staunton. Tom Sox hitters entered the game with five extra base hits in its first five games.
Fueled by some timely hits and a formidable quartet of pitching performances, the Tom Sox took down the Braves, 8-2, advancing to a record of 2-4 on the young season.
Rain continues to follow Charlottesville in the early goings, as scattered, but light storms forced a late start, with Friday’s contest beginning 15 minutes late. Tom Sox right-hander, Bradley Link (Pensacola State College) made his second start of the season, pitching three innings and allowing just one run, while also striking out five Braves. Staunton’s starter, Mason Tompkins, also put together a solid outing, allowing just two runs through the first five innings. Tompkins was chased early in the 6th after Tanner Schaedel (Old Dominion) doubled to score Patrick Niehus (Gardner-Webb) and Jett Bristow (Virginia), putting the lead back in the hands of the Tom Sox, 4-2.
The Tom Sox offense continued its awakening in the following inning, with Hudson Lutterman (Virginia Tech) bringing in Cesari. The Tom Sox catcher’s performance also shouldn’t be overlooked, as Cesari reached on all four of his plate appearances, including two hits. After Lutterman’s double, Jackson Sirois (Virginia) joined the hit party, scoring Langley and Lutterman to make the score 7-2.
Arguably the most impressive individual performance of the night came from Evan Alwine (Florida International). In his first Tom Sox appearance, he pitched four innings, allowing one run on two hits, while only surrendering two walks, which has been a problem for the Tom Sox so far this season.
Tristan Dietrich (Florida International) succeeded Alwine in the top of the eighth, throwing a scoreless inning. In the bottom of the inning, the Tom Sox added one more insurance run after Cesari scored on a wild pitch from Staunton’s Frank Papeo. In the ninth, Trevor Booton (Auburn) slammed the door, keeping the Braves out of the scoring column for a sixth consecutive inning.
Staunton starter Mason Tompkins was saddled with the loss, while Alwine earned the win. According to Alwine, the Tom Sox could be turning a corner with Friday’s victory.
“We’re ready to go,” Alwine said. “I think we’re coming together as a team.”
UP NEXT:
Charlottesville has a quick turnaround, as it welcomes Waynesboro to CHO Airport Field on Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. first pitch. The game can be viewed on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- Alwine’s four innings of work out of the bullpen are the most by a Tom Sox reliever so far this season
- Link has collected five strikeouts in both of his starts
- Eight of the nine Tom Sox starters reached base safely
- Langley, Lutterman, Niehus, Schaedel, and Sirois all have hits in each of the last four games
- The ‘Sox are now 24-9 all-time vs. Staunton at home
