The Jefferson R7 Blue Jays came in with a 1-1 record amidst a weather-shortened season, but got over the hump on Saturday and moved into the plus column with a clutch 4-3 win over Arcadia Valley. The Jays are now 2-1 and looking to generate some momentum.
After a clean top of the first, the Blue Jays jumped out to an early lead in the bottom half thanks to a dropped third strike, a single and a sacrifice fly from Colton Richardson. The 1-0 lead was a short-lived comfort though, as Arcadia Valley came storming back with runs in the 2nd, 4th and 5th innings to take a 3-1 lead.
It was bootstrap time for Head Coach Robert Kuehnle‘s bunch though, and they went ahead and put together a good old fashioned rally that baseball fans tend to enjoy. Cue the fifth inning dramatics…
Jack Hueter reached on an error and Sam Stokes followed that up with a single, setting up 1st and 3rd with one out. Channeling Lou Brock, Hueter then steals home to make it a 3-2 game and set the stage for the big comeback. With runners at 2nd and 3rd after a steal by Stokes, the Blue Jays looked to Garret Lalumondier, who promptly blasted a liner to right field to drive in both runs and take the lead 4-3.
Jefferson kept AV off the board the final two innings and hung on to win 4-3. It was the kind of gutsy victory that tends to propel teams into a winning streak, and the Blue Jays are certainly hoping that’s the case here.
Lalumondier was the hero with his 2-for-3 performance that included the game winning hit, but Stokes was key as well with his 2-for-3 effort. On the bump, Cole Robinson tossed a solid game with a five-inning stretch that featured six Ks and just two earned runs. Hueter came in to clean up the final two frames and allowed just one baserunner (via walk) while fanning four. It was a banner effort across the board and a clutch win for the Blue Jays.
Coach Kuehnle commented on the game, saying, “We played well tonight and still have to clean some things up, but we had a great performance from Cole Robinson throwing through adversity while only giving up one hit. Hueter coming in to shut it down was big as well. Give credit to Garret Lalumondier, our ‘dirt bag player of the game’ who had a two strike, two-RBI single, and Colton earlier in the game getting the much needed RBI in the first. It was fun to be a part of, and the team is starting to come together.”
The Jays will look to build on this performance and channel this positive energy into their next start.
