CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Charlottesville Tom Sox (13-11) continued their hot streak from their doubleheader sweep to the Fourth of July, lighting up the Waynesboro Generals (17-10-1) 17-4. The 7-inning run rule came into effect with the game ending in the top of the seventh, allowing fans to leave early for the fireworks. It was a dominant performance from the ‘Sox offense, compiling 14 hits with every batter reaching base.
It did not take long for the Tom Sox to spark their offense. Satchell Norman (Florida Southwestern) took the first pitch of his at bat yard to put the ‘Sox on the board first for two runs. Cole Wagner (Georgia) took a base after becoming the second batter to get hit by a pitch. A single by Logan Amiss (VCU) got down into center field, and Wagner rounded home for a 3-0 lead at the end of the first.
The Generals responded in the second inning to keep the game close, but their rally would be short-lived due to a historic Tom Sox second inning.
The ‘Sox erupted for 11 runs, a team record in a single inning. Christian Martin (Virginia Tech) cracked a shot over the fence in left center that brought Nic Ericsson (VCU) in for a 5-2 cushion. Norman continued his dynamite start with a single, and he scored by bolting from first to home on a Cole Wagner rocket for a double. The Generals’ pitchers gifted the ‘Sox with three straight walks to send Cole Wagner home. Ericsson batted for the second time in the inning, blasting the ball into right field for two runs and a 9-2 advantage. Martin batted in two more runs on a single, then Norman blasted a double into right for another two. He turned the jets on again, scoring off a Cole Wagner single for a 14-2 lead heading into the third.
The game was quiet for two innings before the ‘Sox scored again. Carter Cunningham (East Carolina) may not have remained perfect as he did against the Winchester Royals, but he singled in the fifth and later scored on a single by Brody Moss (Auburn).
Waynesboro added a run in the sixth to give themselves some life, but the Tom Sox came through. Cole Wagner wiped away the run with his third RBI of the day as pinch hitter Julian Rojas (Radford) touched home plate. The Generals mustered out one more run before the run rule came into effect for a 17-4 blowout win for the ‘Sox.
Although the offense took all the glory, Tom Sox pitching was what sealed the deal. The bullpen gave up only four hits in the monster win. Trey Yesavage (East Carolina) made his second start from the mound of the summer season. He started slow, walking the first two batters, but he finished the day strong with three strikeouts and giving up three hits and two runs. Chandler Marsh (Georgia) came into relief for three innings, striking out and walking three batters, while giving up one run and one hit. The day ended with Christian Howe (Kentucky) from the mound. Howe yielded one run and closed the game with a strikeout.
The ‘Sox return to action tomorrow against the Covington Lumberjacks (12-12) at 7 P.M. at Charlottesville High School. Admission to all 2022 home games is free, courtesy of Carter Bank & Trust.
Additional Notes
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The 17 runs scored is tied for the fifth-most in a game all-time. It’s the most scored in a game since the ‘Sox dropped 18 on Purcellville in July 2019.
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Charlottesville scored double-digit runs in an inning for the first time in team history.
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Every Tom Sox batter reached base in at least one plate appearance and scored at least one run. Seven of nine collected a hit.
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Christian Martin and Satchell Norman each batted in four runs to lead the team.
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The Tom Sox are now 4-1 against the Generals this season. After losing the first four July 4 matchups against the Generals (2015, 2017-19), they have won the last two.
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The final attendance for the game was 1,776.
