The Valley Blue Sox opened the 2026 NECBL season with a 2-2 tie against the Newport Gulls at Mackenzie Stadium on Thursday.

Ahead 2-0 in the ninth inning, the Blue Sox allowed a RBI double and single in the frame to extend the season-opener to extras.

While each team earned a ghost runner on second base to start innings 10 and 11, neither could plate the deciding run, forcing the deadlocked final score.

The Blue Sox nabbed both of their runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, courtesy of a RBI single from UConn’s Chris Cancel and a bases-loaded walk.

Blue Sox leadoff hitter and UMass product Anthony Tirado finished as the only multi-hit getter for the hosts, going 2-for-5 on the evening.

On the mound, Brown’s Dylan Reid got the start for the Blue Sox and tossed six innings of no-hit ball, while adding in six strikeouts.

The Blue Sox will return to Mackenzie Stadium on Saturday for a tilt with the Ocean State Waves.

First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.