'Sox Win VBL Title Rematch in Strasburg

By: Landon Weaver

STRASBURG, Va. - It had been 344 days since the Tom Sox fell to the Express in game three of the VBL championship series, but tonight’s team got revenge for the 2025 squad with a defiant 11-9 victory at First Bank Park.

This matchup, as many predicted, was a back-and-forth affair. Both teams scored in the first, third and fourth innings of play before the ‘Sox broke things open in the fifth.

Charlottesville relied on their strengths in those innings with Bryce Neely (UVA) and Harrison Campi (Wofford) both drawing walks that would extend the ‘Sox lead to three before Christian Dewey’s (George Washington) RBI put the ‘Sox up 8-4.

From then on, Strasburg would threaten but never get back on level terms in the contest. The Express were held scoreless when it mattered most. Right after that three-spot, and then again in the bottom of the ninth.

Early on in the contest, the Tom Sox didn’t garner a bunch of hits, but utilized sacrifices to put runs up in quick succession.

By the time the ‘Sox had a 4-1 lead, three of those runs came off of ground outs and fly outs, with Caiden Combs (Auburn) driving in two and Dewey picking up one for his own.

The only base hit RBI in the early stages came from Tommy Landsnes, who knocked in an RBI single in the third.

Campi would also join the RBI party late in the ball game as his RBI single scored the final run for the ‘Sox on Thursday night, making the score 11-6 in favor of Charlottesville.

That single was also the fifth and final time the Wofford Terrier got on base, capping off a remarkable night in which Campi went 2-2 along with three walks and two RBIs

After the third inning, Ben Cardone (VMI) put on a slugging clinic. He started with an RBI double to put the ‘Sox up 5-3, but then unleashed the most important hit of his ‘Sox career later on.

With Strasburg trying to creep back into the contest, and the ‘Sox holding on to an 8-5 advantage, Cardone stepped up to the plate with his team in desperate need of insurance, and boy did he deliver.

A two-run homer from the Warrenton, VA native pushed the ‘Sox to a five-run lead and really swung the momentum into the ‘Sox favor from there on out. This impressive performance would earn him the VBL Big Stick of the Night.

Down the stretch, the Tom Sox pitching staff played a monster role in keeping Strasburg out of reach. Four pitchers came in, and all four pitchers did exactly what was expected of them.

Henry Knighton (George Washington) set the table with his longest outing since June 4. Only allowing three runs, the ‘Sox ace kept his team in the lead before handing the baton off.

Garrison Wight and Nolan Bethel (Kennesaw State) picked up where Knighton left off in the middle innings. The two pitchers went for a combined four innings and only let up four runs, whereas their offense poured on seven runs while they were on the mound.

Then, the Asher Sabom show began.

He came into a tough spot in the eighth with a runner already in scoring position, but did what he does best and induced weak contact and limited the damage before sending the ‘Sox into the ninth inning clutching onto a two-run lead.

When the ninth inning came around, Sabom wasted no time putting outs on the board. After allowing a leadoff single, he struck out the next two batters he faced to put the ‘Sox one out away from winning.

With runners on the corners and the winning run up to bat, Sabom again forced weak contact from the Express, leading to a routine groundout and an 11-9 win for the Charlottesville Tom Sox.

This was a win that forced the ‘Sox to defy adversity, something that they have been improving on to start the week. Despite allowing 18 Express hits, the ‘Sox played team baseball, earning themselves a season-high 13 walks and the win as a result.

UP NEXT: The ‘Sox (14-15) get to enjoy a two-game homestand starting with the suddenly hot Covington Lumberjacks (11-17) on Friday Night. This game is set for a 7:00 p.m. first pitch from CHO Airport Field.