The Valley Blue Sox clinched a spot in the 2026 NECBL playoffs following their 8-6 win over the Mystic Schooners at Mackenzie Stadium on Friday.
The Blue Sox will now attempt to snag their third NECBL title in team history. The Blue Sox won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018.
One of the hottest teams in the NECBL over the last month, the Blue Sox closed the regular season winning eight of their final 10 games to secure a spot in the eight-team playoff tournament.
The Blue Sox closed out the regular season with a double-header on Friday, starting the day in South Kingston, Rhode Island with a noon game against the Ocean State Waves, before making the trek back to Holyoke for the nightcap.
The Blue Sox beat the Waves, 11-8.
Had the Blue Sox only split its double-header, their fate would have been determined by the Keene Swamp Bats. A victory from the Swamp Bats on Friday would have eliminated the Blue Sox from playoff contention.
Keene wound up beating the Upper Valley Nighthawks, 11-3
The Blue Sox will likely play either the North Division winner in the Sanford Mainers or the South Division Marthas Vineyard Sharks, in the first round of the NECBL playoffs.
Each round is a best-of-three format.
