Big Brad Zunica Walks off Jackals in Series Opener
August 5, 2022 - Frontier League (FL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
TROY, NY - The red hot New Jersey Jackals visited Joseph L. Bruno Stadium to begin their last series at The Joe this season.
Two tall right handers took the ball in the series opener, Leonardo Rodriguez for the Jackals and Austin Faith for Tri-City.
Faith would take care of the top of New Jersey's line up in order to get the game started. Cito Culver would fly out to George Bell Jr in center field to begin the bottom half of the first inning. Brantley Bell would extend his hitting streak to 18 games with a single, advancing to third on a bloop double from third baseman Pavin Parks, putting runners on the corners for Denis Phipps. The single season home run king would add one to his tally, a three run blast over the fence in center field, giving the 'Cats an early 3-0 lead.
The Jackals would answer back with a run of their own in the top of the second, an RBI single off the bat of Jason Agresti. Austin Faith would hit George Bell Jr with a fastball to load the bases for Joe Simone. The Jackals left fielder would hit a hard line drive to Brad Zunica, who was able to double off Bell at first to escape the jam.
Dalton Combs would show off his power with a towering two-run home run to deep right field, plating Santiago Chirino who walked the at-bat prior. The home run off Faith would tie the game at three runs apiece.
The ValleyCats offense would quiet down in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, only mustering two base runners during that span. Joe Simone would get a second opportunity to strike for the Jackals in the top of the fourth inning, driving in Josh Rehwaldt on an RBI groundout, giving New Jersey a one-run lead.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Brad Zunica and Carson McCusker would get the inning started with back to back base hits. Left fielder Jesus Lujano would bunt the two runners over into scoring position, sacrificing a bunt down the first base line. Jackals skipper Brooks Carey decided to intentionally walk Mitch Piatnik, loading the bases for Austin Elder. The 'Cats backstop would send a fly ball into deep right field, plating Zunica to tie the game. However, the 'Cats weren't finished. Following a Cito Culver walk, Brantley Bell would clear the bases with a two-out double over the head of Bell in center field, giving Tri-City a 7-4 lead.
The Jackals and ValleyCats would both be retired in order in the seventh inning, with Tri-City maintaining a three-run cushion entering the eighth.
A lead off walk to Dalton Combs from Brett Hanewich started things off in the top half of the Inning. A two-run blast from Alfredo Marte would bring the Jackals within a run. Following a Josh Rehwaldt single, the right handed reliever would be replaced with 'Cats closer Trey Cochran-Gill. An RBI groundout from Jason Agresti would tie things up at seven.
Following a quiet bottom half of the eighth inning, Trey Cochran-Gill retired New Jersey in order to send Tri-City to the plate with the game tied.
Brantley Bell would lead off the bottom of the ninth inning with a single against closer Jose A. Ramirez. Parks would laser a double to left center field, putting the winning run just 90 feet away. Following a Denis Phipps intentional walk, Brad Zunica came to the plate ready to play hero once again. The first baseman would line a single past Combs to secure the series opening victory.
FINAL | (37-32) TRI-CITY 8 (34-35) NEW JERSEY 7
W: TREY COCHRAN-GILL (5-2)
L: JOSE A. RAMIREZ (4-3)
SV: NONE
ATTENDANCE: 3,417
The ValleyCats and New Jersey Jackals battle again tomorrow night at The Joe! Join us for Futbol is Life Night with CAPCOM's Kids in Free Night. Kids 12 and under receive free admission with a paid adult. Get your tickets today by calling 518-629-CATS, visiting the team's box office, or logging on to tcvalleycats.com.
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