Coming off back to back wins in a doubleheader in Cheboygan over the Varsity Cheboygan Chiefs on Wednesday, May 6th, the Soo 18U Black Sox returned to action for four more spring baseball action on Saturday, May 9th when they faced the Rudyard Varsity Bulldogs and the Grayling Varsity Vikings.
Cond’s clutch hitting propels Soo to victory over Rudyard. Cond drove in four runs on three hits to lead the Black Sox past Bulldogs 11-4 on Saturday. Cond doubled in the fifth inning, scoring two runs, and doubled in the first inning, scoring one.
The Soo won thanks in part to seven runs in the fifth inning. Palahnuk drew a walk, scoring one run, Cond doubled, scoring two runs, Oliver drew a walk, scoring one run, Currie drew a walk, scoring one run, and Scornaiencki singled, scoring one run.
The Black Sox were the first to get on the board in the first when Cond doubled, scoring one run.
The Soo added to their early lead in the top of the second inning when Palahnuk drew a walk, scoring one run, and Clark induced Cond to hit into a fielder’s choice, but two runs scored.
Cerasuolo earned the win for the Black Sox. The righty allowed one hit and one run (zero earned) over two innings, striking out two and walking one. Turco pitched three innings in relief for the Soo. The pitcher surrendered five hits and three runs while, striking out one and walking none. Clark took the loss for Rudyard. The pitcher went two and one-third innings, giving up four runs (two earned) on four hits, striking out none and walking four.
Cond and Scornaiencki each collected three hits for the Black Sox. Palahnuk led the Soo with three walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating 12 walks for the game.
Postma and Mitchell were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in one run for the Bulldogs. Mayer led Rudyard with three hits in three at bats.
In game two of the day, the Black Sox triumph over Grayling. The Soo beat Grayling Varsity Vikings 7-3 on Saturday.
The Vikings got on the board in the top of the first inning after Rutledge singled down the left field line, and Nothstine grounded into a fielder’s choice, each scoring one run.
The Soo flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the first, scoring five runs on three hits to take the lead, 5-2. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Scornaiencki on the sixth pitch of the at-bat that drove in two.
An error extended the Black Sox lead to 7-2 in the bottom of the second inning.
Carroll earned the win for the Soo. The starting pitcher surrendered five hits and three runs (one earned) over three innings, striking out three and walking none. Duba took the loss for Grayling. The starting pitcher went four innings, allowing seven runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out five and walking five. Rohe pitched two innings of zero-run ball for the Black Sox in relief. The hurler allowed four hits, striking out three and walking none.
Scornaiencki, the number seven hitter for the Soo, led the way with two runs batted in. The infielder went 1-for-2 on the day. Cond, Turco, Cond, Scornaiencki, and Carroll each collected one hit for the Black Sox. Turco and Giallonardo each stole multiple bases for the Soo.
Schwartz and Rutledge were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for Grayling while hitting back-to-back. Rutledge went 2-for-3 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in.
The Black Sox next opponents will against the Meridian Varsity Mustangs on Saturday, May 16th on the road.
