NYPL Hudson Valley Renegades

Renegades sweep Cyclones

Published on June 25, 2008 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Hudson Valley Renegades News Release


John Mollicone waited eight games to get his first hit of the season, and it couldn't have come at a better time for the Renegades. Mollicone singled through the right side with two outs in the bottom of the twelfth inning to give the Renegades their third consecutive victory. The game lasted twelve innings and was easily the longest game of the season. The win pushed the Renegades into a first place tie with division rival Aberdeen.

Nick Barnese started this marathon game for the Renegades and was locked into a pitching duel with Brooklyn starter Scott Shaw. Barnese, the 19-year-old former third round pick, set the tone early by pitching seven dominant innings. He held the visiting Cyclones to three hits while striking out nine Brooklyn batters, blowing fastball after fastball by the Cyclone hitters. His nine strikeouts were the most by any Renegades pitcher all season and two shy of the all time record for a single game, which still stands at eleven.

He wasn't the only one who was dealing though. Cyclone starter Scott Shaw matched Barnese pitch for pitch, baffling the Renegades hitters through the first five innings before giving way to relief pitcher Chris Schwinden.

The ‘Gades finally showed some life in the bottom of the seventh inning, when centerfielder Anthony Scelfo extended his hitting streak to six games with a single to centerfield. After a booming double by Matt Hall, the Renegades could break the stalemate and the game remained at 0-0.

Barnese did everything he could to keep the Renegades in the game, but was forced to leave with the score still tied after reaching his pitch count. Renegades manager Joe Alvarez elected to bring in southpaw Josh Satow, and he retired the Cyclones over the next two innings to keep the game scoreless.

Scelfo continued his hot hitting in the home half of the ninth with another single to center. Once again, trying to make something happen, Scelfo was caught stealing for the second time, taking the Renegades out of the inning and sending the game into extras.

Satow would remain in the game for the ‘Gades attempting to work the first two frames in extra innings. Brooklyn third baseman Eric Campbell led off the eleventh inning with a single. He was pinch run for by Brandon Richey, who advanced to second during the next at-bat on a bunt. He then proceeded to steal third and was called safe on a controversial call by field umpire Joel Myers. Will Vogl remained at the plate and attempted to bring Richey in on a safety squeeze but bunted the ball barely 2 feet into the air. Mollicone made the first of his two clutch plays of the game and dove and caught the ball with his bare hand for the second out of the inning. Travis Risser would then relieve Satow and strike out Matt Bouchard looking to end the Brooklyn threat.

Receiving a shot of life from the tremendous pitching and defense, the Renegades were finally able to rally in the bottom of the twelfth inning. Jason Corder led off the inning with a bloop single to right field. Anthony Scelfo walked on four pitches and the Renegades were in business. After Matt Hall popped to second, Jake Jefferies stepped to the plate with the winning run at second base. He grounded out on a great play by Brooklyn's second baseman, but he did move the winning run to third base. Catcher John Mollicone then stepped up to the plate and continued his great extra inning performance by cashing in on his first base hit of the season, a single through the right side, which brought home the winning run to end the most exciting game of the season for the ‘Gades.

Thursday the Staten Island Yankees come back into town to start a three game series at Dutchess Stadium against the Renegades (5-4). Right-handed pitcher Shane Dyer gets his second start of the year against the Yankees. Last time out, Dyer pitched one inning, giving up one run. First pitch is slated for 7:05.

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New York-Penn League Stories from June 25, 2008


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