CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Charlottesville Tom Sox (3-4) will face the New Market Rebels (4-4) in the first cross-division doubleheader of the season at Charlottesville High School. It will be broadcast live on the Tom Sox Facebook page and Tom Sox TV. First pitch for game one is set for 4 P.M., with the second to follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
Coverage: Viewers can head to the Tom Sox Facebook Page or Tom Sox TV to watch today’s games. Live audio is available on the VBL Audio Network. A link to the live stats is available on Pointstreak. The Tom Sox Twitter account (@CvilleTomSoxVBL) will provide live updates.
Ticket Information: Admission to all Tom Sox games in 2022 is free, courtesy of Carter Bank & Trust. Parking is available at a first-come, first-served basis in the CHS upper, lower, and student lots.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Game 1:
New Market: RHP Eduardo Mendoza, Texas State (0-0, 4.50 ERA, 4.0 IP, 2 BB, 3 K)
Charlottesville: RHP Tyler Horvat, Washington & Jefferson (0-1, 5.40 ERA, 5.0 IP, 0 BB, 2 K)
Game 2:
New Market: RHP Connor Blantz, Uncommitted (0-0, 7.36 ERA, 3.2 IP, 1 BB, 4 K)
Charlottesville: RHP Marty Gair, UNC Wilmington (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.0 IP, 2 BB, 2 K)
LEADING OFF
-
The Tom Sox play their first cross-division doubleheader of the season, facing the New Market Rebels in a home twin-bill.
-
The ‘Sox lost a heartbreaker last night, losing 1-0 to Harrisonburg on a walk-off single.
-
After starting the season 3-0, the Tom Sox have won three of their last four games. They are outscoring opponents 21-12 over the span.
-
New Market forfeited last night’s game against Winchester, moving their record to 4-4 on the season.
-
Tyler Horvat will make his second start of the season in game one and Marty Gair will make his first in game two.
SERIES vs NEW MARKET
-
Although the all-time series is tied 11-11, the last few seasons have been slanted Charlottesville’s way.
-
The Tom Sox have won four of the five meetings the last two seasons.
-
The ‘Sox swept the doubleheader at New Market in dominant fashion last year (7/10), outscoring the ‘Rebs 26-3 across 14 innings.
-
Charlottesville came out swinging in game one, winning 15-0 behind multi-hit performances from Pierce Bennett, Wyatt Langford, and Garrett Spikes. Spikes knocked in a team-high four RBI to go along with his two hits and a double. Will Safford also drove in three runs on a triple.
-
The Tom Sox took home an 11-3 win in game two, as Bennett, Jack Hurley, Spikes, and fellow returner Logan Amiss all stood out. On the mound, Tom Sox pitchers recorded 12 strikeouts and allowed only four hits.
LAST NIGHT
-
The Tom Sox lost a tough one to the Turks last night, 1-0.
-
The game was scoreless through eight and a half innings before Harrisonburg’s Sam Schner hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.
-
The Tom Sox defense starred, with two double plays, another two-out play on the basepaths, and a caught stealing among the highlights.
-
Jack Billings, Justin Humenay, and Hunter Teplanszky made their team (or, in Humenay’s case, 2022) debuts.
-
Harrisonburg’s Evan Smith tossed a complete game shutout, allowing only two hits in his nine innings. Smith is the first opposing pitcher to throw a nine-inning shutout.
-
Satchell Norman was the only Tom Sox hitter to reach base multiple times, with a single and fielder’s choice.
BULLPEN LEADING THE WAY
-
The ‘Sox bullpen has been lights-out over the last 4 games. They have a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings, allowing only five earned runs. Outside of Emmett Bice against Staunton on Monday, they have allowed only two earned runs.
-
They have struck out 23 batters over that span.
-
In comparison, opponent bullpens have a 6.57 ERA with nine earned runs, 15 walks, and 12 strikeouts over the last four games.
PASQUANTINO MAKING HIS CASE
-
Former Tom Sox player Vinnie Pasquantino (2017) has been making a strong case to be the first Tom Sox player to play in MLB.
-
The Old Dominion product is in only his third minor league season, but is already playing for the Royals’ AAA affiliate, the Omaha Storm Chasers.
-
In 56 games this spring, Pasquantino is hitting .290 with a 1.022 OPS, 15 doubles, 17 home runs, 58 RBI, and 43 runs. He has 30 walks to 32 strikeouts.
-
Last night, Pasquantino hit a double and a home run, raising his season OPS 20 points.
-
“Italian Nightmare” (a nickname coined by Royals legend George Brett) was among the MiLB’s extra-base hit leaders last summer, racking up 64 XBH in 116 games last year.
-
Vinnie’s performance, along with the struggles of current Royals first baseman Carlos Santana, has many calling for the Royals’ No. 4 overall prospect to make his MLB debut.
