Black Sox sweep a pair of weekend doubleheaders

Some masterful pitching, key plays at key times, and a little bit of luck helped the Soo Midget Black Sox to a perfect 4-0 weekend in Great Lakes Baseball League action.

The Sox played a pair of doubleheaders, against the Traverse City Rockets on Saturday and the Alpena Cats on Sunday.

The Sox opened up the weekend with a 10-3 victory over Traverse City on Saturday afternoon behind a solid pitching performance from Kyle Leonard who picked up the victory striking out four hitters in the process.

Kyle Sayers and Justin Soltys had strong days at the plate each picking up a hit and knocking in a pair of runs each. J.J. Bergamin, who would go on to pitch a gem in game one of the Alpena doubleheader on Sunday, reached base twice thanks to being hit by pitches in two at-bats.

Game two of the twin-bill saw the Sox take home a 10-5 victory. The Sox, who took a 10-2 lead into the seventh inning, held off a late Traverse City rally to pick up the victory.

Sayers had another big game at the plate, stroking a single and a double and producing three RBI's in the victory. Catcher Pat Koski had a pair of singles and knocked in two runs as well to help pace the Sox offense.

Sunday's doubleheader against Alpena gave fans something to marvel at as the Sox pitching put on a clinic in posting a pair of victories over the Cats.

Game one was Bergamin's chance to shine. The young righty gave up just one run over seven innings in helping the Sox to a 5-1 victory. Bergamin struck out 15 Alpena hitters and gave up just one hit, a first inning double, and one walk en route to posting the win.

Jesse Legault let the offensive production for the Sox with a two-run homerun while Leonard also had a productive day with a double, walk and two runs scored.

After watching Bergamin's clinic in game one, Tyler Binkley, who has only seen limited action early this season due to an injury suffered during the high school basketball season, matched Bergamin's offering.

Binkley took a perfect game into the fourth inning before hitting an Alpena hitter, who ultimately came around to score to tie the game at one through four innings. With his perfect game gone, Binkley continued to mow down Alpena hitters and, heading into the seventh inning, had a no-hitter on his hands and the Sox leading 3-1.

After surrendering a pair of hits, the only two hits Alpena would get in the game, a passed ball and throwing error would allow both runners to score, tying the game at three. The Cats would tack on one more run to take a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning

The bottom of the seventh saw the Sox put two runners on to give themselves a chance to battle back for the victory. The Sox got their chance to score a victory when an error on a throw to first allowed both runners to score, including a heads up Andrew Toni, who scored from second on the error.

Mike Lebel, who ran the team for the four games, was extremely pleased with the effectiveness of his pitching staff over the weekend.

"It was a big effort by Tyler Binkley (in game two on Sunday)," said Lebel, who was filling in for head coach Ryan Johns. Johns missed the four games due to work commitments. "He was in full command. That was the strength for us for the weekend was our pitchers. Those two fellows (Sunday) (Bergamin and Binkley), those are our top two pitchers when they're going right.

"Bergamin had 15 strikeouts in the first game and Binkley was just as effective. Bryce Grimard (Saturday) pitched well. That was what carried us well for the weekend. To watch those guys (Bergamin and Binkley) be in complete control, the best thing is they're only 17-years-old in a league for players 19 and under.

"There's the potential there to play at the next level at the college level. All they threw was strikes. The key to pitchers in that you have to throw strikes."

Lebel added that the one worry he had going into the seventh inning of game two on Sunday was "exactly what happened."

"The only thing I was worried about was exactly what happened," Lebel said. "A little mistake like that on a routine play and give them something. I'm sure if you talk to the players, they're aware of what they have to do. We need some execution if we're going to be successful as the season goes on."

With four victories now under their belts the Sox are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel across the International Bridge to take on the E.U.P. Travellers at 6 p.m. at James Field.

PHOTOS WILL BE ADDED LATER TODAY.