Back to Back Doubleheader Splits with a Win and Loss to the Pickford Panthers on the Road -

After splitting a doubleheader in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan on Tuesday, May 20th with the Sault High Blue Devils, the Soo 18U Black Sox hit the diamond in Pickford, Michigan to take on the Pickford Panthers in another doubleheader on Wednesday, May 21st.

In game one of the evening, the Soo could not keep pace with Panthers in a 8-3 loss. Pickford got on the board in the second inning after a steal of home scored one run. Lucas DiBerardino grounded out, which helped the Black Sox tie the game at one in the top of the third.

The Panthers took the lead in the bottom of the third. Kaden Wiltfong grounded out, scoring two runs, to give Pickford the lead, 3-1.

Kolton Tremblay singled down the left field line, which helped the Soo tie the game at three in the top of the fifth.

The Panthers flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five runs on six hits to take the lead, 8-3. The biggest blow in the inning was a triple by Wiltfong that drove in two.

Mac Collins earned the win for the Panthers. The pitcher surrendered six hits and three runs over five and two-thirds innings, striking out four and walking four. Lucas Carriere took the loss for the Black Sox. The starter went four and one-third innings, giving up eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits, striking out two and walking two. Tremblay, Tye Turco, and Carriere each collected two hits for the Black Sox. Tremblay and DiBerardino each drove in one run for the Soo.

The Panthers piled up 12 hits in the game. Carter Rye and Gunner Bennin were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected three hits for Pickford while hitting back-to-back. Wiltfong went 2-for-3 at the plate and led the team with three runs batted in. Eli MacDonald collected two hits for the Panthers in three at bats. Owen McConkey stole two bases. Pickford were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. MacDonald made the most plays with seven.

After a 8 – 3 loss in Pickford, the Soo returned to action for their second game of the doubleheader against Panthers. Despite trailing by as many as four runs, the Black Sox rallied to top Pickford 7-6 in game two.

The Panthers got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after the Soo committed an error, Mac Collins stole home, and Eli MacDonald singled to left field, each scoring one run.

Pickford added one run in the second. Collins tripled down the left field line, making the score 4-0.

The Black Sox made the score 6-4 in the top of the fifth after Kaden Wiltfong induced Chase Cerasuolo to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored, and Logan Rohe doubled, scoring three runs.

Ryan Oliver earned the win for the Soo. The hurler gave up two hits and two runs (zero earned) over three innings, striking out two and walking one. Jacob Mitchell took the loss for the Panthers. The pitcher went one and two-thirds innings, giving up one run on two hits, striking out one and walking two. Cerasuolo started on the mound for the Soo. The starter allowed three hits and four runs (three earned) over three innings, striking out two and walking three. Liam Macdonald stepped on the bump first for the Panthers. The starting pitcher gave up two hits and two runs (zero earned) over two and two-thirds innings, striking out two and walking four.

Rohe went 1-for-2 at the plate and led the team with three runs batted in. Cerasuolo and Oliver each collected two hits for the Black Sox 18U. The Soo had a strong eye at the plate, amassing seven walks for the game. Tye Turco and Lucas Carriere led the team with two free passes each. The Black Sox turned one double play in the game.

Carter Rye, Collins, Owen McConkey, and MacDonald each drove in one run for the Panthers.

Next up for the Black Sox will be another doubleheader when the Soo returns to Michigan to take on the Alpena High School Wildcats with game times of 12:00 p.m and 2:00 p.m on Saturday, May 24th.