Braves split two-game set v. Sox

Braves split two-game set v. Sox

Tiffany Seal

BOURNE, Mass.–The Braves (12-13-1) exchanged scores Sunday night against the Y-D Red Sox (15-11,) with a 3-1 win to split the two-game series.

The Bourne offense started slow, with Y-D starter Jared Janczak (TCU) going five two-hit innings with one strikeout. Janczak cruised through the order that struggled to stay patient and get deep into counts.

It wasn’t until the sixth that Bourne settled in at the plate off reliever Pat Vanderslice (St. Josephs) who went 2 1-3 innings giving up three earned runs off four hits, with one walk and a strikeout.

Brennan Breaux (LSU) led off the sixth with a single up the middle and stole second only to be out on a fielder’s choice by Mississippi State’s Jake Mangum who advanced to first.

Justin Yurchak (Binghamton) broke out of his 0 for 20 slump with a single to left to bring Mangum into scoring position for David MacKinnon (Hartford) to knock an RBI single to tie the game at 1.

The offense continued into the eighth, with Bourne pitching stymieing Red Sox offense, allowing just two hits on the night.

Braves’ starter Tony Dibrell (Kennesaw State) used his offense to work six quick innings of two-hit baseball, giving up one earned run with one walk and five strikeouts in his second consecutive strong outing.

The bullpen continued to keep the Braves in reach of a win, posting zeros in a combined three innings of work by Dominic Taccolini (Arkansas,) Chad Luensmann (Nebraska) and closer Andrew Wantz (UNC Greensboro.)

The Braves broke out ahead in the eighth when Mangum singled in Breaux who went 2 for 2 on the night with one walk.

Bourne notched an insurance run off a Yurchak sac fly to bring home Willy Yahn (UConn) who was hit on the wrist to take first.

Wantz continued to impress, earning the save in his sixth-consecutive hitless appearance in nine innings of work.

The Braves have an off day Monday and will head on the road to face the Chatham Anglers (11-14) 7, Tuesday at Veterans Field.

Probable starters are Lincoln Henzman (Louisville) and Bourne’s JT Perez (Cincinnati.)