Tom Sox Comeback Falls Short in Loss to Culpeper

By: Matt Becker

CULPEPER, Va. - The Tom Sox looked to find a way to end the six-game losing streak as it took the hour drive to Culpeper to take on the Cavaliers. The “Sox enter the game in danger of going 0-7 to start the season.

Let’s see how the game played out.

Patrick Dudley made the start for the Tom Sox and got into some trouble early in the first inning. Dudley was able to escape a two-out jam with runners at second and third to keep the game scoreless.

The score didn’t stay tied at zero for long as Culpeper scored a run on an RBI single to knock Dudley out of the game. Asher Sabom (Chipola) came in for relief and gave up back-to-back-to-back hits to make it 5-0. Dudley’s final line ended up being two and a third innings pitched, two hits, three runs, three earned runs, three walks and three strikeouts.

In the bottom of the 6th, Evan Reese entered the game and pitched into the 7th. Reese bent but didn't break as he got out of a bases-loaded jam to give himself a final line of one and two-thirds innings pitched, no hits, no runs, three walks, one strikeout.

With the ‘Sox still down 5-0, the team knew it had to find a way to scratch some runs across.

In the top of the 8th, Grayson McCollum (Kennesaw State) ripped a double into left field to finally give the Tom Sox a run. Then, Dom Cafferillo (Georgetown) notched his second base hit of the night with two outs to make it 5-2. Lucas Ream (Shippensburg) reached on an error and plated another run to make it a two-run game. Xavier McCoury (Liberty) ripped a pinch-hit single past the glove of the first baseman to make it a one-run game. All of a sudden, it was a one-run game.

In the bottom of the 8th, Evan Alwine made his season debut and set down Culpeper in order with three straight 4-3 putouts. Alwine, who threw mid-80s last season, was sitting at 90 mph today.

Unfortunately for the ‘Sox, the comeback fell short as the team left the tying run stranded at second base in the top of the 9th. The Tom Sox fell to 0-7 on the season, still looking for its first win.

Up next: The Tom Sox (0-7) host the Covington Lumberjacks (1-6) in a Sunday matinee game at CHO Airport Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. EST.