'Sox Shutout by Staunton 7-0

By: Luke Stefanisko

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Although the Charlottesville Tom Sox came into Monday night's contest against the Staunton Braves riding a wave of momentum, that tide would come crashing to shore in a 7-0 loss.

Evan Alwine returned to CHO Airport Field for his first start at the venue since the 2025 season. He worked around a double in the first, but surrendered three runs in the second inning to put the 'Sox behind 3-0 early.

It took until the third inning for Charlottesville to find the hit column, when Lucas Ream (Shippensburg) legged out a roller to third base, giving the team a base runner. Despite hard contact from both Luke Craddock and Grayson McCollum (Kennesaw State), the 'Sox came up empty in the inning.

Alwine bounced back from the second inning by posting two more scoreless innings, running his strikeout total up to five. He was relieved in the fifth with the 'Sox down 3-0 by Evan Reese. Reese endured a tough inning where three more runs came across to make it a 6-0 game.

It took until the seventh for Charlottesville to collect another base hit. Aiden Harris tapped one back up the middle to lead off the frame; the next three batters went down 1-2-3 behind him.

Staunton added another run at the top of the eighth, courtesy of a bases-loaded walk with two outs.

Cradock and Will Yow (Virginia) each singled in the bottom of the eighth, but a 5-3 double play from the Braves dashed any hope of production on the scoreboard.

In the ninth, Harris earned a walk for Charlottesville. But yet again, he would be left stranded as Staunton took the first game of the season series 7-0 between the VBL South Division ballclubs.

UP NEXT: The Tom Sox (3-9) take the day off on Tuesday before they travel back to Harrisonburg for the second time in two weeks to take on the Harrisonburg Turks (6-6).