EL Hartford Yard Goats

Lavigne Leads Yard Goats to Win with 4 RBI

Published on April 15, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Hartford Yard Goats News Release


Reading, PA - First Baseman Grant Lavigne cranked a go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth inning leading the Yard Goats to a 5-1 victory against the Reading Fightin Phils on Saturday night at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Fightins intentionally walked Hunter Goodman to face the first round pick, and Lavigne made them pay with his first home run of the season, a liner over the fence in center field. The first baseman also had an RBI triple, helping the Yard Goats win their first series of the season. Mitch Kilkenny (WP) and Austin Kitchen (S) combined to fire five scoreless innings as the Yard Goats won for the fifth time in six games.

Reading scored the first run of the game on a throwing error in the third inning. The Fightins got a two out single from Pedro Martinez and an infield hit by Johan Rojas to put runners at the corners. Andrew Quezada attempted to pick off Rojas at first base and the throw was off the mark, getting by Grant Lavigne, and allowing Martinez to score.

Fightins starter Josh Hendrickson hurled five scoreless innings before turning things over to the bullpen in the sixth. Andrew Schultz came in and walked the leadoff hitter, Nike Decolani who went on to steal second base. After retiring the next two batters and first base open, opted to intentionally walk the red hot Hunter Goodman and go after Grant Lavigne. Lavigne followed with a three-run homer to put the Yard Goats ahead. Lavigne collected his fourth RBI on a triple in the eighth inning which made it 4-1. Lavigne scored on a wild pitch, giving Hartford a 5-1 lead.

Yard Goats pitching did not allow an earned run for the first time in a game this season. Andrew Quezada worked the first four innings and allowed four hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Mitch Kilkenny pitched 2.2 innings and surrendered a pair of singles and recorded the win. Austin Kitchen entered with two outs in the seventh inning and retired seven of nine batters faced for his first save.

The Yard Goats conclude the road trip on Sunday afternoon at 3:15 PM against the Fightin Phils. The game can be heard on AM 1410 WPOP, FM 100.9 and the iheart radio app. The Yard Goats return to Dunkin' Park on Tuesday, April 18th (7:10 PM) to host the New York Mets affiliate, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.

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WP: Mitch Kilkenny (1-0)

LP: Andrew Schultz (0-2)

S: Austin Kitchen (1)

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