'Gades Declaw ValleyCats 3-2 in Regular Season Finale
Published on September 5, 2012 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Hudson Valley Renegades News Release
TROY, NY (Wednesday, September 5): The Hudson Valley Renegades capped their record-setting regular season in fine fashion with a 3-2 victory over the Tri-City ValleyCats Wednesday night in front of 2,879 fans at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy. The Renegades (52-24) set a new team record with their 52nd win of the season, holding on against the ValleyCats (51-24) and netting themselves home-field advantage throughout the New York-Penn League playoffs. It's the first time the Renegades have held the league's top regular-season record since 1998.
Hudson Valley opened the scoring in the top of the third inning against Tri-City starter Joe Bircher (3-4). Center fielder Joey Rickard and designated hitter Justin O'Conner hit back-to-back singles with one out, landing on first and second. Second baseman Tommy Coyle lofted a fly ball to deep right, which was caught by Preston Tucker. Rickard advanced to third on the play, and O'Conner moved up to second on Tucker's throw, sliding in just under the tag to make it safely. That brought up third baseman Richie Shaffer, who came through with a double smashed into the left-center gap; both Rickard and O'Conner scored on the play. Shaffer came home to score when Ryan Dunn followed up with a double of his own down the left field line, making it 3-0 Renegades.
Tri-City cut into the lead in the bottom of the third. Catfish Elkins got aboard with on a force out and stole second to put himself in scoring position with one out against Renegades starter Ian Kendall. After a pop out by Tucker, Elkins broke for third with Jesse Wierzbicki at the plate. Elkins slid in safely, and catcher Geoff Rowan's throw was errant, rolling into left field. Elkins popped up and sped home to score, slicing the Hudson Valley advantage to 3-1.
The ValleyCats struck again in the bottom of the fifth inning. Leadoff man Joe Sclafani came up against Hudson Valley southpaw Matt Spann (5-5), and tattooed a fastball deep to left. Left fielder Marty Gantt leapt at the wall, but just couldn't make the catch, with the ball traveling over the fence for a solo homer. The round-tripper cut the lead to 3-2.
That, however, was as close as Tri-City would get. The ValleyCats got runners on in every inning from the sixth through the ninth, but never managed to move any of them past first base. Dan Gulbransen reached on an error with one out in the ninth, but Sclafani bounced into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.
Kendall gave up an unearned run on one hit and two walks in three innings; he struck out two and hit one batter. Spann allowed a run on two hits over three innings, fanning five and earning the victory. Alex Moshier and Jose Molina had identical lines, with one inning and one hit allowed apiece. Kris Carlson struck out one and only allowed a runner aboard on an error to take the save.
Bircher allowed six runs on three hits and two walks in six innings, striking out one. Jeremiah Meiners allowed just one hit against one strikeout in his two frames of action. John Neely pitched a spotless inning, striking out one.
The Renegades begin postseason play Friday against their divisional rival Brooklyn Cyclones at MCU Park, with righty Jesse Hahn getting the start for Hudson Valley against Brooklyn right-hander Hansel Robles. First pitch is at 7:00 p.m., with Ben Gellman's pregame show starting at 6:45 p.m. on 1450 and 1370 AM WKIP, as well as online at HVRenegades.com.
Great seats are still available for the playoffs, with the first home game at Dutchess Stadium on Saturday at Dutchess Stadium at 7:05 p.m.. Call the ticket office 845-838-0094 for information, or go to www.hvrenegades.com to order yours now!
New York-Penn League Stories from September 5, 2012
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