Game 3 will decide the NECBL quarterfinal series between the Valley Blue Sox and Bristol Blues after Bristol starter Jagger Duquette threw a two-hit shutout in a 5-0 win Tuesday in Connecticut.
The No. 3 Blue Sox took the opening game Monday but couldn’t sweep the series when their offense sputtered.
Designated hitter Christopher Willis notched both Valley hits when he singled in the second and fifth innings. Matthew Bergevin and Michael Zarrillo each drew a walk, while Collier Cranford was hit by a pitch.
No. 6 Bristol gave Duquette all the run support he needed early. In the first inning, Gavin Noriega brought home a run with an RBI ground out then Skye Selinski followed with an RBI single. Tyler Fote stretched the lead to 3-0 scoring on a wild pitch in the second after leading off the inning with a double.
Noriega added another run on a fielders choice in the seventh, and Selinsky put the cherry on top with an RBI triple.
Duquette struck out seven and walked just two, throwing the complete game with only 103 pitches.
The teams will meet for the decisive Game 3 at 6:30 p.m. in Holyoke.