CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Heading into their matchup against the Waynesboro Generals, the Tom Sox had won their past six contests and were undefeated at home. However, both of these streaks came to an end Wednesday night, as the Generals bested the Tom Sox 7-2.
Both offenses were kept silent at the beginning of the game, as the two pitching staffs competed to outdo one another. For the Tom Sox, Christian Worley (Virginia Tech) got the start on the bump. Worley continued his strong start to the season, throwing four shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three batters. For the Generals, Nick Chittum allowed two runs on six hits, including a solo home run for Garrett Spikes (Georgia), his first of the season.
The Tom Sox were unable to maintain this momentum and were held scoreless for the rest of the contest, striking out 11 times. On the mound, the Tom Sox pitching staff walked 11 batters, the most in a game in team history. Preston Allen (Coastal Bend) struggled in his VBL debut, allowing five earned runs over 2.2 innings, headlined by Connor Cino’s grand slam in the eighth inning.
This marks the second straight game in which the Tom Sox surrendered a grand slam, after not allowing one since the decisive 2018 Championship Game. While the crowd at Crutchfield Park tried to assist in a late-inning rally, the Tom Sox were unable to mount a comeback against the Generals.
The Tom Sox will not have to wait long to redeem their loss, as they will return to Crutchfield Park Thursday night to square off against a familiar foe in the Staunton Braves. These two teams have already faced off three times so far this season, with the Tom Sox leading three games to none.
Additional Notes
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Tonight’s loss was the first at home since game 1 of the 2019 South Division Championship against Staunton. It was their first regular season home loss since July 8, 2019 against the Generals.
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Charlottesville’s 11 walks were the most in a game in team history. It was the fourth time allowing seven or more walks in the past five games.
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Waynesboro has won five straight against the Tom Sox.
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Cole Foster (Auburn) hit a double for the third straight game. He now has a double in five of his last six games.
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Tonight’s loss snaps a six-game win streak, the fourth-longest such streak in team history.
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Two home runs were hit in a game at Charlottesville High School for the first time since August 5, 2019 against Staunton. It happened in the regular season for the first time since June 19, 2019, when the Tom Sox and Royals hit a combined three long balls.
