Guilliams’ Three-Run Blast Propels ‘Sox Past Cannons, 7-5
PURCELLVILLE, Va. –Jackson Sirois walked back to the Tom Sox dugout with a dejected stride. He struck out against Cannons reliever Nick Staszak, even after a Purcellville error and walk had put Lee Sowers and Perry Hargett (North Carolina) on base.
This was not how Sirois’ at-bats with runners on have been going lately, as Sirois had tallied six total hits in his last two games entering Monday’s contest.
But one former Hoos’ missed opportunity set up another’s time to deliver. In his first game in nearly a week, James Nunnallee singled up the middle to score Sowers and tie the game, 4-4. If Nunnallee’s RBI knock was the first crack in Purcellville’s armor, Elijah Guilliams’ (Flagler)go-ahead three-run moonshot was the knockout punch, propelling the ‘Sox back to .500 with a 7-4 win over Purcellville.
Dawson Newman got the starting nod for the ‘Sox and performed admirably against a stout Purcellville order. In his first start of the summer, Newman escaped the first three innings with only allowing one run, but a pair of doubles in the fourth prevented Newman from continuing. He exited after three and two-thirds innings pitched, allowing three earned runs.
But following the theme of the night, when one player faltered, another stepped up. Lane Duff replaced Newman on the mound and escaped the fourth inning, setting the tone for a lockdown second half from the ‘Sox staff. Duff had one of his best outings of the season, posting three and a third innings of shutout ball, along with a season-high five strikeouts.
Now pitching with the lead, Duff finished his outing in the bottom of the seventh, before handing the reins to Ian White. Although White walked two in his inning and a third, a key caught stealing at second base by ‘Sox catcher Evan Taveras (Miami)allowed White to escape the eighth unscathed. The Indiana commit retired Purcellville leadoff man AJ Goytia, who had reached in all three of his plate appearances until the ninth, before head coach Randy Tomlin took the ball from the right-hander. Tomlin opted for the platoon advantage, bringing in a southpaw to face the lefty-heavy top of the Cannons order.
The arm tasked with finishing the game was Charlottesville’s closer, Jason Ban (Davidson). Ban entered in the midst of a dominant run for Charlottesville this season, netting five saves and 11 strikeouts, along with a 1.93 ERA. Although he allowed an RBI single – only his second allowed hit this season – Ban slammed the door, collecting his sixth save.
Not to be overlooked in this game was the performance of James Nunnallee, who reached four times in five at-bats, including three singles and two RBIs. Although the knee injury he suffered on July 1 at Harrisonburg prevented him from playing the field, his return to the order was welcomed, and his energy is back in the field, as well as the bus ride home.
“Let’s go play some Maf[ia],” said Nunnallee.
UP NEXT:
The Tom Sox are back on the road tomorrow against Waynesboro, where they will once again attempt to climb above .500. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. from Prosperity Home Mortgage Park at Kate Collins Middle School.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Elijah Guilliams now has nine RBI in his first four games in a Tom Sox uniform
Dawson Newman has pitched 3.2 innings in back-to-back appearances, and has thrown at least three innings in four of his seven appearances
In addition to setting a season-high in strikeouts, Lane Duff also collected a new season high in innings pitched (3.1)
James Nunnallee’s three hits were the most he’s had in a game this season, and it was his sixth multi-hit game of the summer
Kyle Langley and Nunnallee are tied for the team lead with 23 hits, but Nunnallee has 25 less at-bats
