<strong>SMITHFIELD—</strong>The last time the Smithfield Blue Sox and Brigham City Peaches met up on the diamond, the game ended with the Peaches coming out on top as they edged the Blue Sox 11-9 in that matchup back on June 12.
Since then the Blue Sox have reeled off seven straight win – their longest win streak of the season – and in the process, have outscored their opponents 93-31. Included in that run was a victory over the then undefeated Providence Wolverines.
The Blue Sox torrid pace continued Thursday as they claimed their latest victory, an 11-5 romp of the Peaches, to exact some revenge.
The Peaches struggled to make anything happen through the first two innings. As quickly as they came up to bat, they were sent back to the dugout, as Smithfield did not allow a runner to reach first base.
The Blue Sox Jordan Hansen got the momentum rolling as he recorded a double after hitting the ball down the left field line. Hansen’s hit brought a runner in for the Blue Sox to give them the early 1-0 lead.
Next up for Smithfield was Chance Randall who hit the ball to left field and brought two more runners in for the home team, extending their lead to 3-0.
In the second inning it was all Blue Sox, beginning with Brennen Reese. Reese bunted and the ball was recovered, but a bad throw to first base allowed a runner to come home and Reese was able to advance to second base.
Next up to bat for the Blue Sox was Shawn Olsen. Olsen hit a line drive down the first base line which hit the bag and took a hop allowing another runner to reach home, and bringing the Blue Sox lead to 5-0.
After a couple more batters cycled their way through, Randall came up to bat with runners on first and second base. He connected on a 3-run homer to increase the home team’s lead to 8-0.
“We hit the ball pretty consistently, Chance (Randall) had a great game,” Blue Sox head coach Vic Bingham said. “Not always do you see people who work their butts off have great success. He’s worked his butt off for three years and he’s having a good year, hope it continues.”
Despite digging themselves an early hole, the Peaches were not about ready to go down without a fight. During the third inning Brigham City closed the gap on the Blue Sox as they reeled off four runs. The Peaches added one more run in the top of the fourth inning to bring the game within three runs as the Blue Sox were left holding on to an 8-5 lead.
With the Peaches making a run the Blue Sox remained focused and clamped down defensively on the visitors, not allowing any more runs to be scored for the remainder of the game.
“We had some really good performances on the mound, and our bats were really rolling pretty well,” Randall said. “It was just a good solid game, they’re a really good team and this is a really good win for us, and hopefully we keep it going.”
The Blue Sox (20-6, 7-3) were able to add a run in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to bring the total to 11 for the home team.
“We played a great all-around game,” Bingham said. “That’s the happiest I’ve been with an overall game all year.”
Next the Blue Sox will look to keep their streak alive as they host the Logan Royals in a doubleheader Saturday.
“We’re going to have to play well, because they’re hot right now too,” Bingham said. “They beat the (Providence) Wolverines last night, and they’ve got a nice ball club. I’m looking forward to the game.
“I hope our pitching holds out, we’re playing a lot of games this week and next and we’ll go as far as our pitching can take us.”
The first game between the Royals and Blue Sox is slated to begin at 6 p.m. with the second game following immediately after at 8 p.m.
“Logan is really solid at all of their positions, and they’ve got good pitching,” Randall said. “They’re still beatable, but they’re really a solid team. We’re going to have to play well to beat them.”