Game 2 preview: Blue Sox at Mountaineers

The Valley Blue Sox are coming to Vermont tonight as two 1-0 teams square off in a matchup of divisional foes. Both teams won their season openers and a packed crowd is expected in Vermont's home opener, with the first pitch coming at 6:30.

Valley Blue Sox (1-0) at Vermont Mountaineers (1-0)

Time/Place: 6:30 p.m., Recreation Field

Media: Teamline

Pitching Matchup: Valley LHP Anthony Elia (Seton Hall) vs. Vermont RHP Jim McDade (Millersville)
Last games: Vermont 5-0 against Laconia, Valley 7-4 against North Adams.

Elia (left) was an All-Big East Second Team pitcher this spring for Seton Hall as the No. 2 pitcher. A strong lefty, Elia posted a 2.77 ERA over 16 appearances and 13 starts. He struck out 48 over 78 innings and held batters to a .235 mark against him. This will be his first start in the NECBL- he did go 2-2 with a 2.51 ERA last summer for the Covington Lumberjacks of the Valley Baseball League. 

The Mountaineers are sending out McDade, an elite D-II pitcher. The 6-5 redshirt sophomore had a 1.03 WHIP over 12 starts and went 6-3 with three complete games and a 3.25 ERA. Perfect Game baseball clocked him at an 82 MPH fastball as a high school freshman with a 67 curve and a 70 changeup. Those numbers were recorded in 2009 , so much has changed but he still has strong control and pitches to contact. 

Hitters to fear: Vermont OF Jack Parenty (Stony Brook), Valley 1B Charles Sikes (Savannah St)

Parenty (left) was excellent against Laconia last night as he made solid, opposite field contact twice and then had a perfectly placed bunt single to earn a 3-5 night. He played in the massive, MLB-producing Northwoods League last summer and hit .272 in 51 games with seven doubles and six stolen bases. Sikes, on the other hand, went 2-4 last night and is a very dangerous hitter. He hit .358 this spring with 51 RBIs, 10 home runs and 15 doubles. 

Outlook: I haven't seen either of the pitchers and I've seen just one game this season. McDade is a very good pitch-to-contact pitcher but the Mountaineers defense showed some weaknesses against Laconia as they booted a couple of balls. However, they aren't necessarily bad at defense- Bret Charbonneau is an outstanding defender at second base and they did turn a couple of defensive gems. Vermont is weak on pitching but yesterday they only needed two pitchers to throw a shutout. They won't have Gesell in the bullpen today but they have plenty of other arms.Based on these pitchers track record, it could turn into a strong pitchers duel.