Dahlman Shines in Debut as ‘Sox Fall, 5-2 in Title Rematch

Dahlman Shines in Debut as ‘Sox Fall, 5-2 in Title Rematch

By: Bryan Portney

PURCELLVILLE, Va. – Having arrived today as a Tom Sox addition, the impact of right-handed pitcher Brandon Dahlman (Liberty) was instant.

Dahlman kept the Purcellville Cannons’ offense at bay with three shutout innings to end the game, with a 2026-high five strikeouts to boot.

He aided a ‘Sox pitching staff that let up its lowest earned run total (5) of the season so far, and the group had a solid start from right-handed pitcher Clayton Armah (Auburn), albeit limited.

Through 2.1 innings, Armah struck out four batters and consistently reached low-to-mid 90s on his fastball. He has recorded 11 strikeouts, good for almost two per inning in two starts this summer.

Despite a good showing from Armah, his lone blunder came in the bottom of the first after a fantastic catch by right fielder Christian Dewey (George Washington) led to two runs scoring on the tag.

Dewey cut the deficit to one after scoring on a wild pitch, which started by reaching first base on an error. He then gave the ‘Sox its first stolen base of the game by going to second.

The Tom Sox posted a season-high five stolen bases, which was capitalized by a double steal from center fielder Tanner Craytor (Sewanee) and first baseman Luke Craddock (East Carolina) in the top of the seventh inning.

Craytor had a mix of hard contact and patience at the plate, notching a leadoff single in the top of the first as well as two walks.

In his 14 plate appearances, he’s posted a .545/.643/.727 slash line as he looks to keep his post at the leadoff spot, having done so in back-to-back games.

Purcellville added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth after Armah left the game in the previous frame to make it a 4-1 deficit.

Right-handed pitcher Cole Draper (Wofford) made his Tom Sox debut alongside Dahlman, keeping the line clean with a shutout frame in the bottom of the fifth.

The biggest play of that inning, however, was when second baseman Simon Tesfaye (Georgetown) made a diving stop to execute a 4-6-3 double play to end the frame.

Charlottesville gained some momentum by drawing a walk to lead off the sixth, seventh and eighth. The patience at the plate paid off for the ‘Sox with six walks from the fifth inning on.

Elijah Hurt (Seminole State) drew a pinch-hit walk with one out to get the rally started in the top of the ninth.

Though he came around to score on a passed ball, it would not be enough as the Tom Sox fell, 5-2, in the 2024 Valley Baseball League title rematch.

UP NEXT: The Tom Sox (0-4) return home on Thursday to face the Waynesboro Generals (4-0). First pitch is set for 7 p.m. EST.