DeJesus, Blue Sox rally for 6-4 win

Tom Cosgrove went four innings in the no-decision. (VM)

Valley scored a pair of runs on a Manny DeJesus double in the top of the seventh to break a 4-4 tie and hung on behind a strong bullpen to earn a 6-4 victory over the Mountaineers. Vermont's home opener was spoiled as they dropped their first game with a makeshift lineup.

Missing several players, Vermont manager Joe Brown went with a batting order that featured pitcher Billy Whaley, a Northfield High School graduate, DHing. The top of the order combined to go 0-for-10, but the Mountaineers still racked up 12 hits. They couldn't convert many opportunities, as they stranded nine runners on base.

Brown was still very pleased with his team's effort, saying, "Some of these guys haven't played in a game in two, three weeks and to get 12 hits was good. All three pitchers were good. The margin for error in this league is so small that the one inning with the one out double was tough."

DeJesus drove in three runs for Valley out of the two-spot, while leadoff hitter Nick Sinay reached base four times and scored three runs. The Blue Sox used three different pitchers out of the bullpen, and they combined for four scoreless innings. William Worswick (1-0) recorded his first win, while Sam Donko retired the side in the ninth for the save.

Vermont starter Tom Cosgrove threw four innings, giving up four earned runs. The Mountaineers rallied to tie it, but the DeJesus and the Blue Sox struck for two runs against reliever Drew Lunde. Sam Delaplane stopped the bleeding with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless work, striking out five of the 11 he faced.

Offensively, Garrett Copeland quietly went 4-for-5, including a RBI double down the first base line that kicked off the bag and into the outfield. Ridge Smith, normally a catcher, manned third and went 3-for-5 while also making an exceptional backhand play. Finally, three-year NECBL veteran Thomas Roulis, playing in his first game in months after recovering from an injury, went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.

QUOTABLE
"They came out good swinging the bat, and Tommy Cosgrove also settled down and gave us four good innings. Drew Lunde threw the longest he's pitched and Sammy Delaplane was outstanding."
- Vermont manager Joe Brown on his trio of pitchers.

"It was fun. I love him. He played for us two years ago and had a great summer with Plymouth last year, and we're happy he's here." -Brown on returnee Thomas Roulis

FAST FACT
Vermont is now 3-10 in season openers over their 13-year history, and have lost four of their last five. They are also just 2-6 when opening at home.

WHAT'S NEXT
Blue Sox: Left-hander Mason Ward (Kennesaw St.) takes the mound at 6:30 p.m. tonight at home as the Blue Sox host North Adams in an attempt to open the year 3-0. After that, they hit the road for a three-game stretch.

Mountaineers: Vermont travels to Sanford tonight for a 6:30 p.m. game in a rematch of last year's Northern Divisional Finals. Mountaineer catcher Kevin Stypulkowski was a member of the Mainers in 2014.