On Saturday, May 2nd, the Soo 18U Black Sox headed south to take on the St Francis Varsity Gladiators in spring baseball action in Traverse City for a doubleheader. The Black Sox opened their spring baseball action on Wednesday, April 29th when they defeated the Newberry Bulldogs in a doubleheader and outscored the Bulldogs 29 – 7.
In game one of the doubleheader in Traverse City, the Soo Black Sox 18U fell to St Francis Varsity Gladiators after surrendering Big First Inning.
St Francis Varsity Gladiators scored nine runs in the first inning, which helped them defeat Soo Black Sox 18U 16-0 on Saturday.
St Francis Varsity Gladiators jumped out to the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Sam Wildfong doubled, scoring two runs, an error scored one run, Alex Jetter tripled, scoring two runs, Jay Macnowski singled, scoring one run, Tyler Thompson singled, scoring one run, an error scored one run, and Wildfong singled, scoring one run.
St. Francis Varsity Gladiators scored seven runs on two hits in the bottom of the second inning. J.A Giallonardo induced Macnowski to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored, Giallonardo induced Colton Peterson to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored, Wildfong singled, scoring two runs, John St Peter doubled, scoring two runs, and an error scored one run.
Wildfong earned the win for St Francis Varsity Gladiators. The starting pitcher surrendered zero hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out nine and walking one. Ryan Oliver took the loss for Soo Black Sox 18U. The hurler went one inning, allowing nine runs (two earned) on six hits, striking out none and walking one.
Wildfong provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led St Francis Varsity Gladiators with five runs batted in. The cleanup hitter went 3-for-3 on the day. Thompson collected two hits for St. Francis Varsity Gladiators in two at bats. St Francis Varsity Gladiators had patience at the plate, collecting six walks for the game. St Francis Varsity Gladiators didn’t commit a single error in the field. Peterson had the most chances in the field with nine.
In game two of the doubleheader against the Gladiators, the Soo Black Sox 18U fell after strong showing by St Francis Varsity Gladiators. The Soo Black Sox 18U had trouble keeping up with St Francis Varsity Gladiators in a 12-2 loss on Saturday afternoon.
St Francis Varsity Gladiators were the first to get on the board in the second when a wild pitch scored one run.
St Francis Varsity Gladiators added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning when Wildfong singled, scoring one run, and Vos hit a sacrifice fly, scoring two runs.
Endres earned the win for St Francis Varsity Gladiators. The right-handed pitcher allowed one hit and two runs (one earned) over five and one-third innings, striking out 11 and walking three. Cerasuolo took the loss for Soo Black Sox 18U. The pitcher went two innings, surrendering one run on two hits, striking out one and walking two.
Oliver led Soo Black Sox 18U with one run batted in. The infielder went 1-for-3 on the day.
St Francis Varsity Gladiators collected 10 hits in the game. Thompson, Wildfong, and St. Peter each collected two hits for St Francis Varsity Gladiators. Thompson, Wildfong, and Young each drove in two runs for St Francis Varsity Gladiators. Schaffler paced St Francis Varsity Gladiators with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, tallying eight walks for the game. Wildfong and St Peter each stole multiple bases for St. Francis Varsity Gladiators. St. Francis Varsity Gladiators stole eight bases in the game.
The Black Sox will be back in action on Monday, May 4th with they head back into Michigan to face the Rudyard Varsity Bulldogs in a doubleheader with the opening pitch at 4:15 p.m followed their second game of the doubleheader at 6:15 p.m in Rudyard.
