Royals Defeat 'Sox to Force Game Three

By: Bryan Portney

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Tom Sox will have to wait one more night to try and secure the Lineweaver Cup after falling to the Winchester Royals 6-1 on Wednesday night.

Nolan Bethel (Kennesaw State) made his first start since May 30, which was the second game of the season in a 10-7 loss to the Culpeper Cavaliers.

Bethel was working well early and attacked Royal batters left and right to notch back-to-back scoreless frames. His breaking ball was the key to success in his 2.2-inning start.

The first few innings gave way to a ‘Sox offense that looked to finish the job then and there.

With two outs and runners at the corners, the Tom Sox applied the hit-and-run as Harrison Campi (Wofford) pushed a single into right to drive in the game’s first run in the bottom of the third.

Chris Fortunato (Stevenson) held things down with a strikeout of his own, but it would soon unravel for the Tom Sox in the top of the fourth.

The Royals would score five runs in that inning, cashing in on an error and two hits as Fortunato left the game for Cole Draper (Wofford).

The Tom Sox bats went silent the rest of the way, but Lucas Arbalaez (Randolph-Macon) would be able to hold the Royals scoreless in the final 3.1 innings on the mound.

Despite a late single by Grayson McCollum (Kennesaw State), the ‘Sox were unable to mount a comeback as the Valley League Championship Series will come down to a third and final game tomorrow.

UP NEXT: The Tom Sox (1-1) have a chance to win their fifth Valley League title when they travel to face the Winchester Royals (1-1). First pitch is set for 7 p.m.