Bantam Sox drop tournament opener

The Elks 341 Black Sox had two bad innings and it came back to haunt them.

The Black Sox committed seven errors in the opening two innings en route to a 10-3 loss at the hands of Rogers City on day one of the Sault Ste. Marie Invitational Tournament being held locally. Rogers City scored all 10 of their runs in the opening two innings.

"There's nothing you can say, to be honest," said Black Sox head coach Steve Hurley. "We just have to concentrate on the last five innings of scoreless baseball. We feel confident going into tomorrow's game with Soo, Michigan. We're ready for Soo, Michigan now."

Corey Jackson, who was the only Black Sox hitter to reach base twice with a pair of walks took the loss on the mound while Collin MacAuley also saw time on the mound.

Hurley did say that the Black Sox players were still confident, despite the early game struggles.

"In the last five innings their heads were up," Hurley said. "In the last five innings we outscored them 2-0, so we are confident. We had a chat with them after the game and they're confident. We're ready to play now."

"We had such a rough start and at the end we played solid baseball," Hurley added. "That's all we (the coaches) ask from the kids. I'm proud of the kids for the last five innings. We hung in there. If we play a full seven innings, I know Rogers City is a good team, but I think we can compete with them."

In the other Friday night game the tea from Soo, Michigan defeated Sudbury 15-11.

Action on Friday includes a pair of Black Sox games to end the day. The Black Sox will play Soo, Michigan at 6 p.m. before capping the day off against Mancelona at 8:30 p.m.