OXFORD – The Norwich “A” team traveled to Oxford on Monday evening for both teams’ second PONY League game of the 2023 season. Oxford led 9-4, going into the top of the fifth inning, but Norwich fought back to put up 10 runs to defeat the Blackhawks 14-10. Norwich heads to the bye week with a strong 2-0 start.

The Purple Tornado were led by Zack Parker and Kaden Downey. Parker led off the fifth inning with a single before Norwich batted through the lineup, where Parker drove in three runs on a base-clearing triple his next time up. He came in to score on a dropped third strike during Carmine Pastore’s at-bat before Norwich’s last run was off a wild pitch. Zack and Kaden both had two of Norwich’s seven hits.

Owen Olds got the start on the mound for Norwich and only lasted two and a third innings before Pastore came in to relief, but both had rough outings. Zack Parker finished the game and earned the win. All three pitchers combined with 10 strikeouts with Pastore having the most with five.

Conner Dunegan went 2-for-3 for Oxford in the loss while Landen Olinski, Nic Dodzweit, Degan Endress, and Josh Knapp all drove in a run.

Caden Rifanburg started on the mound for the Blackhawks and went four innings, where he struck out four batters. Kyle Benjamin, Dodzweit, and Endress each pitched in relief.

Norwich will have a bye round while Oxford travels to Whitney Point on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Box Score:

Runs by Inning: R H E

NO:

2-2-0-0-10-X-X 14 7 0

OX:

3-0-2-4-1-X-X 10 4 4

Other Scores:

Unadilla Valley falls to Cooperstown 12-3.