Blue Sox one win away from state junior American Legion tournament title

Jon Rathbun, Herkimer Times Telegram

BINGHAMTON ― The Junior Utica Blue Sox are one win away from completing a District V sweep of the state American Legion baseball championship for 2024 after sweeping through three-team round robin play at Binghamton's Conlon Field on Friday.

The Junior Blue Sox take the field again Saturday at 10 a.m. against the Clinton County Mariners. If Clinton County wins, the teams will play a second game in the afternoon.

Clinton County was the runner-up to Smith Post of Rome in the senior tournament earlier in the week.

More: 2024 American Legion baseball scores

More: Smith Post wins state's senior American Legion baseball tournament

The Junior Blue Sox (23-3) defeated Binghamton 6-2 in Thursday's tournament opener, and Clinton County 9-6 in the second game. Clinton County capped a damp Day 1 with a 7-5 win over Binghamton to earn the second spot in the championship round.

Utica scored first in the first game and never trailed. Logan Plows had two hits and drove in three runs, Jakob Ortiz singled, doubled and drove in two runs, leadoff hitter Anthony Marino singled, walked and scored twice, and Andrew Witchley singled and doubled.

Logan Pullman pitched a complete game against Binghamton, allowing two unearned fourth-inning runs on three hits while striking out nine batters and walking two.

Peyton Roberts, pictured in a June 17 game at Ed Hinko Field in Utica, recorded the final out in relief for the Junior Utica Blue Sox Friday in round robin play at the state's junior division American Legion tournament in Binghamton.
Peyton Roberts, pictured in a June 17 game at Ed Hinko Field in Utica, recorded the final out in relief for the Junior Utica Blue Sox Friday in round robin play at the state's junior division American Legion tournament in Binghamton.

Plows went 4-for-4 with two home runs against Clinton County and drove in five runs while scoring three in a more dramatic contest.

Clinton led 2-1 after the first inning but the Junior Blue Sox took the lead with three runs in the third and later led 7-2 and 9-3. Jacob Daniels relieved Brayden Wisheart in the first inning and pitched into the seventh. Peyton Roberts relieved with a runner at first base and struck out the final Clinton County batter.

Roberts and Witchley each had two hits, and Jake Cenname scored two runs.

The Junior Blue Sox have won seven consecutive games since losing their district playoff opener, and have now won 17 of their last 18 games overall.

The Mariners scored three runs in the top of the first against Binghamton and broke a 3-3 tie with four in the fifth.

This article originally appeared on Times Telegram: Junior Utica Blue Sox aim for NY American Legion state title

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