BOONVILLE, NY - The losing continues. 

Boonville (17-17-1) fell 7-5 to Utica (16-16-1) tonight at Hanson Aggregates Field, marking the squad’s seventh-straight defeat and fourth-straight against its rival. 

It was a seemingly must-win game for both teams, given the contest’s playoff implications. The Lumberjacks and Blue Sox are now tied for the final playoff spot in the East Division and still have one game scheduled against each other on the final day of the regular season. 

And the Lumberjacks’ fielding blunders contributed to their defeat yet again. 

Boonville’s fielders committed four errors throughout the contest, with infielder Andy Perez committing three, a season-high. 

The defensive mistakes rattled starting pitcher Payton Hochhalter, who allowed just two earned runs compared to six runs overall during his five-inning outing, which is more runs than those forfeited in his four combined outings before tonight. 

Hochhalter recorded two-straight outs in the top of the fourth, forcing Utica designated hitter Max Berrisford to fly out and striking out Utica infielder Sean Sousa to open the inning. 

The Jamestown rising sophomore threw a breaking pitch to Blue Sox infielder Waldy Rodriguez, who grounded it to the middle of the infield. Shortstop Angel Santiago sprinted to corral the ground ball, but it slid under his mit, allowing Rodriguez to reach first base safely.

But that was just the beginning. 

The subsequent batter chopped a ball to the left side of the infield, deflecting off Perez’s glove. 

And the top of the Blue Sox lineup would take advantage of the consecutive errors, sporting a single and a double to plate three runs to gain the lead for good. 

The Lumberjacks didn’t score a run for the last six innings, stranding nine runners on bases. 

Boonville had runners on second and third base in the bottom of the sixth after designated hitter Jeremiah McLemore corked a single that ricocheted off the center-field fence, and outfielder Jorge Oliver drew a walk. Both advanced to scoring positions on a passed ball with zero outs. 

But outfielder Devan Meran and infielder Sebastian Burgos struck out, and Connor Tepatti flew out to spoil the Lumberjacks’ opportunity to cut into the deficit. 

Down to their last five outs, infielder Carter McKay and McLemore had back-to-back singles, advancing to the corners. 

But Olivera grounded a ball to Utica third baseman Xavier Smith, who threw the ball to the catcher, tagging out the lead runner. Meran grounded into a fielder’s choice in the subsequent at-bat to end the inning. 

Boonville even had a chance to tie the affair in the bottom of the ninth. Extra hitter Chase Triplett walked to the plate with Perez on second base and the team down to its final out. Triplett had hit two home runs against Utica in Boonville’s 17-12 victory June 8. But the Seminole State rising sophomore made weak contact, chopping a ball to the opposite side of the infield and sealing the squad’s fate. 

The Lumberjacks gifted opportunities to the Blue Sox with their subpar fielding performance while spoiling opportunities at the plate.

That is the recipe for failure. 

Boonville will face Saugerties Monday night at Cantine Field.