Charlottesville’s Chris Fortunato Earns VBL South Pitcher of the Week

By: Ben Rekosh

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Tom Sox right-handed pitcher Chris Fortunato has earned VBL South Pitcher of the Week for the final week of the regular season, the league announced today (July 22).

The Stevenson University product picked up a pair of wins in two relief appearances. He only allowed one run and two hits over seven innings pitched.

His big performance came on July 13th against the Covington Lumberjacks at CHO Airport Field. Following three innings of work for Lucas Cash, Fortunato took the mound and pitched five innings of two hit, one run baseball. He struck out one batter, walked none, and the Tom Sox took the win 8-4.

Four days later, Charlottesville traveled to Casey Field to take on Covington. The 6’2” righty came to the mound in the 5th inning and pitched two innings of masterful hitless, runless ball. He recorded one strikeout and one walk, as well; the one base on base was Fortunato’s only baserunner allowed. An offensive output of nine runs earned Fortunato the win, and the Tom Sox went home victorious, 9-2.

On the season he has five appearances and 11.0 innings pitched. With a 2-0 record Fortunato boasts an impressive 1.64 ERA with seven total strikeouts.

The rising senior has spent three years with Stevenson, located in central Maryland. A native of Reston, VA, he earned All-Middle Atlantic Conference honors with a 4-2 record in 2026.

Charlottesville ended the regular season with a 19-17 overall record and has secured the three-seed for the Valley Baseball League Playoffs. The ‘Sox have won seven of their past ten games heading into postseason play.

The first round of the playoffs begin tonight, July 22nd, when they travel to take on the two-seeded Staunton Braves. Game two of the best-of-three series will take place on Thursday at CHO Airport Field for a 7:00 first pitch. The Tom Sox are looking for their fifth VBL Title in franchise history.

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