CULPEPER, Va. — The Charlottesville Tom Sox (26-13) came up short at Culpeper County High School on Monday night in their final road trip of the regular season. The Culpeper Cavaliers (20-19) plated two quick runs to take an early lead and held on just long enough to earn the win amidst inclement weather that would cut the game short.
After Cavalier starter Benji Tucker retired the side in the top of the first, Culpeper’s offense backed him up in an efficient and effective manner. Utilizing a walk, a double, and a single, the home team jumped out to an early 2-0 lead at the end of the first frame.
In the top of the second, Colby Wallace (East Carolina) reached on an error and advanced to third on a passed ball and a fly out. With Wallace ninety feet from home, Cooper Blauser (Jacksonville State) brought him across the plate with an RBI sacrifice fly. Heading into the bottom of the second, the Tom Sox trailed 2-1.
Chase Stryker (Coastal Carolina) settled in after the Cavaliers’ early offensive flurry and posted a solid start. The Chanticleer’s line closed after 4.1 innings pitched, giving up two runs on two hits while walking three and fanning three.
The Charlottesville offense threatened in the top of the fifth as Ethan Gibson (Virginia Tech) and Ryan Wynn (Wofford) roped a pair of singles. Benji Tucker, however, continued his stellar start for the home team and worked out of the jam to hold the score at 2-1.
Ryan Grzesiak (Florida Southwestern) came in for the Tom Sox in the bottom of the fifth and manned the ship for 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit while striking out three.
Charlottesville found momentum in the seventh inning, scoring five runs and sending eight batters to the plate before lightning started flashing and thunder started rolling. Once the rain started falling it was much ado about nothing, as the runs were wiped off the board and the game was called with a 2-1 final.
UP NEXT:
Charlottesville rounds out their regular season Tuesday night at Charlottesville High School against the Harrisonburg Turks. The first pitch on Fan Appreciation Night at the ballpark is scheduled for 7 p.m., with free admission for all fans.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- Colby Wallace reached base in all three of his plate appearances on the night. He has reached in six of his last seven dating back to Sunday’s game in Covington and is hitting .481 across his last eight games.
- The ‘Sox have lost three consecutive games for the first time this season.
- Charlottesville has scored two or fewer runs in three of their last four games.
