CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Charlottesville Tom Sox (3-3) have flipped the early season narrative and won their last three games after dropping the ball, literally, on their first three. The ‘Sox defeated the Waynesboro Generals (2-3), 3-1, at Charlottesville High School on Friday. Their win streak is currently the longest in the VBL.
Two of Charlottesville’s runs were scored in the bottom of the first inning. The leadoff batter, Kyle Edwards (Old Dominion), walked and was aggressive getting into scoring position, as he advanced to second base on a flyout and then stole third base. Garrett Spikes (Georgia) grounded out, but it allowed Edwards to score the opening run. Tyler Shelnut (Florida) would bring Satchell Norman (Florida Southwestern) home on a double that bounced off the bottom of the fence for the second run of the game.
Taylor Montiel (Mississippi State) started the top of the seventh by walking two Generals. A stolen base by Jarrett Biesecker set up a sac fly by Tyler Borges to make it a 2-1 ballgame. The ‘Sox would answer in the eighth, as John Newton (UNC-Wilmington) would score off a hit by Trey Yunger (Wofford). Yunger, however, was tagged out as he tried to push for a triple, ending the inning with a 3-1 ‘Sox lead. Jackson Nove (Kentucky) closed out the game to give Charlottesville three wins in a row.
The Tom Sox were highly disciplined at the plate, something that has improved since their comeback win over the Staunton Braves. Although they finished with eight hits, their strength has been working the pitch counts. They have pushed opposing pitchers to their limits early, throwing the pitcher’s rhythm and confidence off. Charlottesville batters were walked four times, with all three runs coming off runners who reached base on walks.
Looking at the score, it was obviously a pitchers’ game, but the Sox were strong from the open. After a disappointing start to the season, Bobby Olsen (Brown) rebounded and threw a very solid game. In 4.1 innings, he had 67 pitches and struck out five batters, while walking three and giving up two hits. All in all, his nice performance gave fits to the Generals’ batters. The fans and his teammates gifted him a deserving ovation, as he headed to the dugout with a pitching change.
Montiel came into relief and made an impact right away, striking out four of his first five batters. However, he cooled off as soon after, walking three batters in 1.2 innings. Nove pitched the last three innings, striking out one batter and allowing only one hit.
After Kyle Edwards left Covington with his first hitless game of the season, he was able to record a single in the 7th, ending his short slump. Tyler Shelnut went 2-for-4 with an important RBI double, his first two hits of the season. Garrett Spikes has recorded a hit in both games since returning to the Tom Sox lineup, as he hit a single in the third.
The Tom Sox will return to action tomorrow on the road against the Harrisonburg Turks (2-2), looking to avenge their opening day loss. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
Additional Notes
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The Tom Sox won their first home game against the Generals since July 4, 2021.
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The winning team in this series has scored three runs in three of the last five meetings.
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Tom Sox pitching struck out double-digit batters for the second time this season.
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After striking out double-digit times in each of the first three games, Tom Sox hitters recorded single-digit K’s for the third straight game.
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The Tom Sox have scored first in four of the six games this season.
