Black Sox improve Great Lakes League record

After dropping a tough 3-2 decision in the final of the Paul Andary Memorial Tournament over the weekend, the Soo Cambrian Mazda Midget Black Sox got back on a winning note on Tuesday night.

The Black Sox improved their Great Lakes Baseball League record to 4-1 thanks to a 17-4 victory over the EUP Travellers on Tuesday at Sinclair Yards. The win improved the Black Sox overall record to 21-17.

The Sox finished the night with just 10 hits, although every player who stepped up to the plate managed to get on base. The Black Sox added 13 walks on the night as well.

"We were fortunate enough to put the ball in play today," said Black Sox manager Ryan Johns, "which we didn't do a lot of on the weekend. Putting the ball in play allowed us to get some runners on base, let them throw the ball around and score some runs."

The Black Sox opened the game with a pair of singles by Wyatt Curry and Kyle Diotte before the next four batters walked and Kyle Leonard was hit by a pitch. The Travellers finally got out of the inning, but found themselves trailing by a 5-2 score. The Black Sox took control of the game in the second with four more runs in the second inning and seven more in the fourth.

"We don't have the pitching," said Travellers coach Greg Rambo. "I've got a little bit, but none of it was here. I've hot young kids that are all 15 and 16 and they're trying to learn how to pitch. I get them in the bullpen and they're throwing strikes. They get out on the mound and they walk guys.

"We don't play bad defensively when the ball's put in play," added Rambo. "When its not in play and you've got a three-and-two count and we're standing around and (the pitchers) throw 12 or 15 pitches in a row, and pretty soon the outfielder's not focusing on a fly ball or the kids lose focus."

The Black Sox continue a busy week with a doubleheader set for Wednesday night in Escanaba.

The Black Sox then find themselves as part of a busy weekend with five home games at Sinclair Yards. They take on Escanaba on Saturday at 1 p.m. and then play a doubleheader against Alpena beginning at 6 p.m.

On Sunday, the Black Sox play a pair of games against Traverse City beginning at 12 p.m.