Cash Delivers as 'Sox Take Game One Over Staunton
By: Bryan Portney
STAUNTON, Va. – In a place that has seen the season’s defining moments, the Tom Sox delivered again at John Moxie Memorial Stadium in Game 1 of the VBL South Division semifinals.
The ‘Sox played through the pressure and used a five-run second inning to propel themselves to an 11-3 victory over the Staunton Braves on Wednesday night to open up the 2026 postseason.
The squad drew back-to-back walks in the top of the first, doing what they have done best all year. Their plate patience all game was reminiscent of the last time the Tom Sox were here, having been down to their last strike multiple times in the 15-11 comeback win last Thursday.
The ‘Sox thrived under pressure all game, drawing 10 of their season-high 15 walks with two strikes.
Through four innings, the Tom Sox went 3-for-9 with five runs batted in when down to their last strike in an at-bat.
The most significant piece of two-strike hitting for the ‘Sox came in the five-run second inning when Tommy Landsnes drove a full-count pitch to the right-field corner for a two-run ground-rule double to make it a 3-to-0 lead.
After Caiden Combs (Auburn) drew a full-count walk, Aiden Harris (VCU) bucked the trend with a first-pitch two-RBI double to the left-field wall for a 5-to-0 lead. The ‘Sox batted around in a frame that would effectively decide the game.
To add on, the ‘Sox went 5-for-13 and drove in seven runs with two outs, continuing to prove that they are playoff-ready.
It was not only the offense that delivered in the clutch, as four-year ‘Sox pitcher Lucas Cash (Bridgewater) tossed eight innings on 108 pitches.
As is always the case, Cash used weak contact to his advantage and was able to trust his defense behind him as they had no errors in a game for the first time since July 8.
Cash’s approach on the mound was per usual, as he said his aim was to “go and attack each batter [from] pitch to pitch and do the best I can.”
He delivered when it mattered, as he only had three strikeouts but two of them came when the Staunton Braves had two outs on the board.
Cash’s outing is tied for the second-longest outing in team history, and he is the fourth pitcher in ‘Sox history to go eight innings or longer.
It was also the longest playoff outing for the franchise since Mike Eggert went eight strong against the Front Royal Cardinals on July 30, 2023, and is tied for the longest outing in playoff history for the ‘Sox.
The Tom Sox added on with crooked numbers in the top of the sixth and ninth innings to secure the 11-to-3 victory and bring the series to Charlottesville with a spot in the VBL South Division championship on the line.
UP NEXT: The Tom Sox (1-0) look to take the series tomorrow as they return home to face the Staunton Braves (0-1) in the VBL South Division semifinals. The Tom Sox are 28-8 in home playoff games all-time. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
