CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Charlottesville Tom Sox (9-7) played their first home game in 12 days on Tuesday night, but the result was an offensive struggle that did not end in their favor. The New Market Rebels (9-9) gave the ‘Sox their fifth home loss in seven tries, winning 3-1 at CHO Airport Field.
With both teams’ top offensive weapons representing the Valley in the NACSB Prospect Showcase at Liberty, it was up to the pitchers to provide much of the show for the fans.
Making his Tom Sox debut was starting pitcher Darien Smith (Southeastern), who pitched two scoreless innings before running into trouble in the third.
The Rebels’ first two hitters, Jonathan Sexton and Drew Sassaman, hit singles, which put runners on the corners for Bryce Safferwich. During Safferwich’s at-bat, Sassaman swiped second base, and on the throw down from catcher Salvy Alvarez (Florida), Sexton completed the double steal for the contest’s first run.
Aaron Saltsman reached on a fielder’s choice, and on the same play, Alex Bouche (Old Dominion) committed a throwing error, which allowed Sassaman to advance to third. After a walk by Jude Drzemiecki that loaded the bases, Smith tossed back-to-back wild pitches against Bryce Suters, which let Sassaman and Saltsman score. He nearly doubled his pitch count from the first two innings, throwing 31 through the first two innings before tossing 30 in the third.
Trailing by three runs, head coach Lyndon Coleman went to his bullpen, bringing in Hayden Smith (Kentucky). Smith silenced the New Market batters during the fourth and fifth innings, allowing the ‘Sox offense to attempt to get back in the game.
Aidan Teel (Virginia) led off the fifth inning by lacing a double into right field for his first collegiate hit. The next batter was Alvarez, who grounded a double down the first base line, driving in Teel from second.
However, the RBI double was the last hit Charlottesville mustered for the rest of the evening as Tyler Wilkinson surrendered just one run over six innings while striking out three.
Smith threw one more scoreless inning before Coleman went back to his bullpen, calling upon Grant Comstock (Northwestern). Comstock continued the dominance on the mound for the ‘Sox bullpen, tallying three scoreless innings and striking out five Rebel hitters.
As for New Market, its bullpen was just as lights out, with Austin Ritchie, Andrew Lynch and Jacob Petersheim each throwing a scoreless inning and striking out a batter. The trio of relievers didn’t allow a baserunner in the final three frames.
The ‘Sox are off on Wednesday, and they will be back at home on Thursday night, squaring off against the Staunton Braves at 7 P.M.
Additional Notes
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The Tom Sox had a season-low five runners advance into scoring position. Alvarez’s double in the fifth was Charlottesville’s lone hit with an RBI opportunity.
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The Tom Sox have lost three-straight against the Rebels and now trail the all-time series 11-14. New Market scored three runs in all three of their wins, which have all come at Charlottesville High School.
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Charlottesville’s bullpen did not allow a run for the seventh time in 16 games this summer.
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The ‘Sox fall to 0-6 when trailing after six innings and 0-7 when scoring less than seven runs in a game. Charlottesville’s opponents are a perfect 3-0 when scoring two or fewer runs on the year.
