Uxbridge opened the season with a dramatic win Monday night, edging Hopedale in an extra-inning battle that stayed tight for nearly the entire game. The Spartans and Blue Raiders were tied 6-6 heading into extra innings, and both teams scored once in the eighth to keep the contest alive. Uxbridge finally broke it open in the top of the 11th, when the Spartans delivered the decisive blow and turned a close opener into a 14-7 victory.
Liam Gover sparked the big inning with a two-run triple, and Uxbridge kept stacking quality at-bats from there. Caleb Gaultz finished with four hits, while Cody Veneziano added two hits and two RBIs to help fuel the late surge. Hopedale’s pitching staff had kept the game within reach for most of the night, but the Spartans put together their biggest inning when it mattered most.
Hopedale still had some strong individual efforts despite the loss. Matt Stone led the Blue Raiders with three hits, and Avery Miller added two hits and two runs. Uxbridge, though, will be pleased with how it handled the pressure and responded in the late innings. The Spartans now turn around quickly and will face Medway tomorrow at 3:45 p.m. in the Mustangs’ season opener.
