UTICA, NY. (June 8, 2019) – Utica remained undefeated at home after beating Adirondack, 5-3. The Blue Sox improve to 5-1, and will play the Watertown Rapids on the road this evening for a chance to take the lead in the PGCBL West Division.

Adirondack scored two runs in the top of the second to take an early lead. This early action was catalyzed by Trail Blazers’ first baseman Alec Burns, who advanced to first after being hit by a pitch, and later advanced to second off of Daniel Irisarri’s single. Burns then scored off of Vincent Cimini’s sacrifice fly out. Irisarri was the next person who reached home plate off of Will Jennings double (ADK 2-0).

The Trail Blazers added another run in the top of the third when the shortstop Randy Flores doubled and scored off of Kevin Ferrer’s single.

But, the Blue Sox tacked on two runs in the bottom of the third. Brandon Hall (Wagner College) walked to first, and then Tyler Simon (Kennesaw State) hit a single to bring Hall home and notch the Blue Sox’ first run of the game. Vincenzo Castronovo (Bryant University) later singled, which moved Simon up to third, and Luis Deleon (Central Alabama CC, North Carolina Central) followed with a double to bring Simon home and cut the deficit to 3-2.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Brenton Phillips (Andrew College, University of Akron) and Dewey Roden (UMass Lowell) both walked, and then Phillips advanced to third off of a Ben Montenegro (Wagner College) sacrifice fly. Pinch hitter Matt Parkinson (Herkimer CCC, College of Charleston) recorded a sacrifice groundout to bring Phillips home and tie the game up at three.

Utica finally took the lead in the bottom of the seventh, when Castronovo singled and later reached home by virtue of a triple from Deleon to take a 4-3 lead. The Blue Sox added another run in the same inning when Phillips hit a sacrifice fly out to bring Deleon home. The Sox had a 5-3 lead through seven.

Utica hung onto to its lead throughout the rest of the game and beat the Trail Blazers.

Blue Sox pitcher Andrew Hill got the win, striking out eight while not allowing a single hit. Adirondack pitcher Thomas Swafford got the loss, walking one and giving up one hit in one inning of play.

After their trip to Watertown, the Blue Sox will return home Sunday to play the Newark Pilots. Game time is slated for 6:45 p.m.