Sosa Slugs Baysox to Season Opening Win in Hartford
BOX SCORE Hartford, CT (April 2, 2026) - The Chesapeake Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, took their 2026 season opener on Thursday night in a 7-4 triumph over the Hartford Yard Goats, Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Chesapeake (1-0) was powered by outfielder Thomas Sosa on
Hartford, CT (April 2, 2026) - The Chesapeake Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, took their 2026 season opener on Thursday night in a 7-4 triumph over the Hartford Yard Goats, Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
Chesapeake (1-0) was powered by outfielder Thomas Sosa on Thursday night. At just 21-years-old, Sosa tallied his first career three-hit game at Double-A and matched a career-high with four RBI.
Sosa first opened the scoring for the Baysox in the sixth inning. After Chesapeake fell behind 1-0 in the fourth on an RBI single form Hartford’s Benny Montgomery, both Ethan Anderson and Griff O’Ferrall scored on a triple to left field by Sosa that snuck underneath a diving Montgomery’s glove in left field. Sosa later came home to score on an RBI single from Carter Young to make it 3-1.
Right-handed starter Trace Bright set the tone early for Chesapeake. Bright allowed just the lone run in five and one-third innings on just three hits and struck out a Double-A best nine batters.
The Yard Goats tied the game in the seventh inning off Baysox right-handed pitcher Yaqui Rivera. Hartford’s Zach Kokoska knotted the score at three with a game-tying home run to right field. Rivera (W, 1-0) would allow no further damage however, matching the longest Double-A outing of his career with two and a third innings on Thursday.
The pendulum swung back in Chesapeake’s favor in the eighth. A pitch clock violation against Hartford left-hander Sam Weatherly (L, 0-1) led to a walk for O’Ferrall. Sosa followed up with a go-ahead, two-run blast to right field to put the Baysox back on top, 5-3. Chesapeake would go on to draw four more walks against the Hartford bullpen in the frame and plate two additional runs on a bases loaded walk and a wild pitch.
The Yard Goats tried to chip away late. Hartford scored a run on a sacrifice fly in the ninth and brought the tying run to the plate, but Baysox right-hander Gerald Ogando (S,1) helped Chesapeake secure the final out and a season-opening win.
Thursday was the second-consecutive season-opening win for the Baysox and the third in the past four campaigns.
Chesapeake continues its three game season-opening series with Hartford on Friday night. Right-hander Christian Herberholz is set to make his first professional start for the Baysox against left-hander Konner Eaton for the Yard Goats. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET from Dunkin’ Park.
The Baysox return to Prince George’s Stadium for their home opener on Tuesday, April 7 against the Erie SeaWolves, Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET. Single-game tickets, ticket plans, and group offers for the 2026 season are currently on sale. For more information on the Baysox schedule, tickets, and the latest team news, fans can call 301.805.6000, visit Baysox.com, or follow the team on Facebook, X, and Instagram.