York 7, Charleston 3
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The York Revolution overcame a 3-1 deficit after six innings by scoring the final six runs of the game and taking Game 1 of the Atlantic League Championship Series by a 7-3 final on Tuesday night at GoMart Ballark.
Jacob Rhinesmith gave the Revs their first lead of the night with a two-run homer in the top of the eighth inning.
The Revs pitching staff also combined to throw the first one-hitter in league playoff history. Charleston’s lone hit came on a fourth inning double by Phillip Ervin.
York took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when shortstop Matt McDermott singled, moved to third on a double by Rudy Martin, Jr. and scored on a sac fly from Zander Wiel.
In the bottom of the first, York starter Chris Vallimont struggled with his control, loading the bases on a pair of walks and a hit batter. With Tillman Pugh at the plate, Vallimont unleashed a wild pitch that brought home Phillip Ervin with the tying run. Jared Carr’s sac fly then brought home Joseph Rosa to give the Dirty Birds a 2-1 lead.
The Dirty Birds took a 3-1 lead in the fourth as Angelo Castellano drew a leadoff walk from Vallimont. After stealing second and third, Castellano scored on a double by Ervin that marked Charleston’s first hit of the night and put the ‘Birds on top 3-1.
In the seventh, Seth Nightingale allowed a leadoff single to Alfredo Reyes and a one out walk to Chase Dawson. After McDermott lined out to third, Charleston brought in Carlos Meza. He walked Rudy Martin, Jr. to load the bases then hit Wiel with a pitch to bring home Reyes. Meza then fanned David Washington to hold on to Charleston’s 3-2 advantage.
York took a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth when Alerick Soularie beat out an infield single to third before coming around to score on Jacob Rhinesmith’s homer to right center off Aneuris Rosario (L, 0-1). Reyes followed with a single to right before being sacrificed to second by Roldani Baldwin. Chase Dawson’s single to right plated Reyes for give the Revs a 5-3 lead. After Dawson stole second, McDermott lined a single to left to drive hom Dawson for a 6-3 edge.
Rhinesmith picked up his third RBI of the game when he doubled home Soularie in the top of the ninth to increase York’s lead to 7-3.
Lefty Matt Turner came on in the ninth and put Charleston down in order to preserve the win.
York’s Alex Valverde (2-0) picked up the win by setting Charleston down in order in the seventh. Vallimont walked seven and struck out four in his four innings of work while allowing the lone Charleston hit. Zach Neff (two innings), Valverde (one inning, Dan Kubiuk (one inning) and Turner (one inning) each kept the Dirty Birds hitless.
Game 2 of the best-of-five series is slated for a 6:35 p.m. start on Wednesday night at GoMart Ballpark.
NOTES: York’s one-hitter marks the fewest hits allowed in an Atlantic League playoff game since Gastonia defeated High Point 8-2 on Sept. 23, 2022 in Game 3 of the South Division Championship series. Four Gastonia hurlers held the Rockers to just two hits.