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FL Tri-City ValleyCats

Cito Culver's Walk-Off Completes Sweep of Gateway

July 24, 2022 - Frontier League (FL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release


Tri-City ValleyCats' Carson McCusker and SouthPaw
Tri-City ValleyCats' Carson McCusker and SouthPaw
(Tri-City ValleyCats)

TROY, NY - The Tri-City ValleyCats and Gateway Grizzlies wrapped up their weekend series on Sunday evening.

Patrick Faith made his first home start as a member of the ValleyCats, opposing him was left handed pitcher Manuel Rodriguez who was making his first start as a member of the Grizzlies.

Both offenses were held quiet in the first two innings, with Faith retiring the first six batters he faced. The 'Cats would get on the board first in the third inning when Cito Culver would ground into a double play that plated catcher Joey Campagna, who led the inning off with a walk.

Tri-City would add two more runs to their lead in the home half of the fourth inning when left fielder Jesus Lujano flicked a looping double into shallow left field. Caron McCusker and Pavin Parks both came in to score.

Patrick Faith would get through the third and fourth frames with no harm, allowing one walk and a lowly single in that span. Faith would run into trouble during the sixth inning. Andrew Penner would lead the inning off with a single, Isaac Benard would reach on a fielder's choice, breaking up a potential double play ball. Zach Racusin would record his second hit of the game, a single off Faith.

Brett Hanewich would replace Faith, entering the game to face Trevor Achenbach. The Grizzlies second baseman would rip a single into left field, loading the bases for Kevin Krause. The designated hitter for the Grizzlies would give Gateway the lead with a grand slam over the left field wall. Clint Freeman would pad the lead for the Grizzlies with a solo shot of his own, capping off a five-run sixth inning.

Gateway's lead did not last long, as Tri-City got on the board with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the sixth inning. A solo shot from Brantley Bell and an RBI single off the bat of Carson McCusker would be enough to tie the game at five heading into the seventh inning. Both Gateway and Tri-City would strand runners in scoring position during their opportunities at the plate in the seventh.

Following a one hour and seventeen minute rain delay, Niel Abbtiello would enter in the top of the eighth inning and would retire the Grizzlies in order. Sam Gardner would enter the game for the Grizzlies in the bottom half of the inning, and similarly to Abbatiello just a half inning prior would sit Tri-City down consecutively. Trey Cochran-Gill and Sam Gardner would work a scoreless frame in the ninth inning, sending the game to extra innings.

Zach Racusin would start the tenth inning on second base, and would not leave there. Cochran-Gill in his second inning of work induced two fly balls and a ground out to strand Racusin at second, giving Tri-City the chance to walk it off in the tenth.

Cito Culver would lead things off for the 'Cats in the bottom half of the tenth, with Mitch Piatnik representing the winning run on second. The newest ValleyCat would single into right field, bringing Piatnik around to score to complete the sweep of the weekend series.

FINAL | (31-29) TRI-CITY 6 (29-31) GATEWAY 5

W: TREY COCHRAN-GILL (4-2)

L: JOHN MURPHY (1-3)

SV: NONE

ATTENDANCE: 2265

The Tri-City ValleyCats return home on August 2nd to begin a six game homestand. The Ottawa Titans return to Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on August 2nd for "Relish" the Moment Night! 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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Tri-City ValleyCats' Carson McCusker and SouthPaw
Tri-City ValleyCats' Carson McCusker and SouthPaw
   

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