After back to back wins in Michigan over the Rudyard Varsity Bulldogs and Grayling Varsity Vikings on Saturday, May 9th, the Soo 18U Black Sox headed back south on Saturday, May 16th to face the Meridian Varsity Mustangs in a doubleheader in Sanford, Michigan.
In game one of the doubleheader in Sanford, the Black Sox lost despite out hitting Meridian, even though the Soo collected five hits to Sanford’s three, they still fell 4-1 on Saturday. Cerasuolo, Keough, Oliver, Keough, and Scornaiencki each collected one hit for the Black Sox.
The Mustangs were the first to get on the board in the second when one run scored on a balk.
Sanford added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Schaefer singled down the left field line, and the Black Sox committed an error, each scoring one run.
Mishler earned the win for the Mustangs. The starter surrendered five hits and one run (zero earned) over six and two-thirds innings, striking out six and walking one. Cond took the loss for the BlackSox. The pitcher went three innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit, striking out three and walking two. Mills earned the save.
Mills and Schaefer were tough to handle back-to-back in the lineup, as each drove in one run for the Mustangs. Albaugh, Edwards, and Schaefer each collected one hit for Sanford. Albaugh stole two bases.
In game two of the afternoon, the Mustangs and Black Sox took to the field, but eventually the Soo fell to a Mustang walk-off. A walk-off left the Soo on the wrong end of an 8-7 defeat to Meridian on Saturday.
The game was tied at seven in the bottom of the seventh when Cerasuolo induced Dittenber to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored.
The Black Sox fell behind by four runs in the second inning, but then tried to fight back. The Soo closed the gap by scoring on a single, a walk, a single, a walk, and a sacrifice fly.
The Black Sox were the first to get on the board in the first when an error scored one run.
The Mustangs jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Almond lined out, Dittenber tripled to right field, and Albaugh singled down the left field line, each scoring one run.
Sanford added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Albaugh singled to the left side of the infield, and Schaefer grounded out, each scoring one run.
The Soo tied the game in the top of the seventh thanks to a walk by Cerasuolo, and a sacrifice fly by Giallonardo.
Schaefer earned the win for the Mustangs. The hurler surrendered one hit and two runs over one and one-third innings, striking out one and walking two. Oliver pitched three innings in relief for the Black Sox. The reliever surrendered four hits and two runs while striking out two and walking one. Cerasuolo took the loss for the Soo. The right-handed pitcher went one and one-third innings, allowing one run on one hit, striking out one and walking one. Scornaiencki started on the hill for the Black Sox. The hurler surrendered three hits and three runs over one inning, striking out none and walking one. Edwards began the game for the Mustangs. The hurler allowed five hits and five runs (one earned) over five and two-thirds innings, striking out seven and walking four.
Palahnuk, the number eight hitter for the Soo, led the way with two runs batted in. The left-handed hitter went 1-for-3 on the day. Cond, Currie, Palahnuk, Keough, Giallonardo, and Oliver each collected one hit for the Black Sox. Cerasuolo stole two bases. The Soo had patience at the plate, collecting six walks for the game.
The Mustangs collected 11 hits in the game. Mills and Albaugh were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for Meridian. Albaugh, Schaefer, and Dittenber each drove in two runs for Sanford Albaugh stole two bases.
The Black Sox will be on the road for a doubleheader in Pickford, Michigan on Monday, May 18th with opening pitch at 4:30 p.m against the Pickford Varsity Panthers.
