By Scott Guinn / Scrimmageplaycva.com contributor
On Wednesday night at C-VILLE Weekly Ballpark, the Charlottesville Tom Sox defeated the Staunton Braves in a nail-biter with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.
Charlottesville first baseman Brian Fortier stepped up to the plate down by one, with two outs and drove a hard-driven ground ball into left field. Cole Murphy easily scored from third while Kyle Davis running from second narrowly beat out the throw to end the game, 3-2, Tom Sox.
The game-winner was Fortier’s only hit and one of only four hits by the Tom Sox all night. Fortunately, starting pitcher Robert White allowed only two runs through 7 and two-third innings.
The Tom Sox jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the second which they held onto through seven. It was beginning to look much like Tuesday night’s 1-0 shutout against the New Market Rebels until Braves Nicholas Mira sent one over the right field fence. The Tom Sox quickly fell behind 2-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth in a game that had seen very little hitting from either team.
But the Tom Sox proved they weren’t finished just yet as they loaded the bases before Fortier ended the game with the crack of his bat.
“I had three not-so-great at-bats coming into it,” said Fortier after the game, “and I knew that pitcher had nothing to beat me with. I was just waiting for a pitch in my spot and I went after it.”
Tom Sox coach Michael Goldberg said afterwards that he had almost pinch hit for Fortier earlier in the game.
“I just thought the matchup might not be right and he sort of talked me out it.”
Fortier certainly proved that Goldberg made the right decision.
Tom Sox reliever Joshua Sharik picked up the win but starting pitcher Robert White put in an excellent overall performance with seven strikeouts, one walk and two earned runs. Meanwhile Braves starting pitcher Jake Perkins also put on a show with four strikeouts, three walks and one earned run through eight innings pitched.
With this win the Tom Sox are .500 on the season (11-11) for the first time this year. They extend their win streak to three but remain 4.5 games back in the South Division of the Valley Baseball League.
“After the 0-5 start , you know, I’d be lying to you if [I said] there wasn’t a point where we weren’t worried,” said Coach Goldberg, “there was obviously some concern, but like I said, the fight was always there.”
Recent success for the Tom Sox suggests the team is finally starting to gel.
“Everyone is starting to click a little bit,” says Fortier.
They have now won 9 of their last 12 games and will look to continue their success Thursday night against the division-leading Harrisonburg Turks.
