ValleyCats Can't Catch Jackals Despite Brilliant Defense
Published on July 26, 2026 under Frontier League (FL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
TROY, NY - Tri-City brought the tying run to third in the eighth and had a runner on in the ninth, but the New Jersey Jackals held on for a 5-4 win in front of 2,287 guests at the Birthday Party for the original ValleyCat, SouthPaw, at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on July 26.
The ValleyCats brought the defense throughout as a diving catch by RJ Stinson deep in the left field corner took away extra bases early on. Then Ian Walters turned a brilliant double play in the top of the seventh, tagging a runner at third and throwing on to first. That was just before Dylan Broderick cut down a run with a perfect throw from right as Mike Campagna applied the tag at the plate to end the frame.
Offensively, Stinson drove in two with a second-inning double for Tri-City (25-41). Brayden Jobert had a 2-for-4 day and drove in a run, while Jan Carlos Colon was 2-for-3 with a double.
New Jersey (36-28) pulled a half game in front of New York in the Atlantic East Division with their fourth straight win and tenth in their last 11. The Jackals host Lake Erie later this week.
Tri-City is headed to North Carolina for a six-game series against the Down East Bird Dawgs starting on Tuesday.
The ValleyCats return to The Joe to kick off a nine-game homestand filled with philanthropy, frankfurters, fireworks, and fun starting on August 4 and running through August 13.
Tri-City gets things started with Irish Night presented by the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, Division 8 - James Connolly on August 4 as the team takes on rival and Frontier League Atlantic North Division leader Quebec.
Gates swing open early for the opener at 5 p.m. as the ValleyCats host award-winning Upstate New York Celtic rock band Hair of the Dog for a special performance.
The 'Cats and AOH are also teaming up on the night for a food drive. Fans that bring a non-perishable food item will receive a free hot dog food voucher.
Plus, the team will be in special Ireland-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game to support AOH's efforts in the community. Links to the online auction will be available on the ValleyCats social media accounts and TCValleyCats.com on game day.
Tri-City's second bobblehead giveaway of 2026 is scheduled for August 5 on Hot Dog Appreciation Night as Ketchup joins his friends Mustard and Relish to finish off the three-character set that the ValleyCats have been building over the past few years. Season ticket holders, select mini-plan holders, and the first 1,000 fans in attendance can get the commemorative keepsake when gates open at 5:30 p.m. for first pitch at 6:30 p.m.
The ValleyCats finish up the series with the Capitales when the teams welcome history buffs from around the state to the annual New York State Baseball Hall of Fame Night on August 6. The ValleyCats will also honor the proud history of their hometown - both baseball and industrial - as they wear their special "Collar City Cats" jerseys.
Then the fireworks begin when Tri-City hosts Windy City for the Thunderbolts' only trip to The Joe this season. Italian Night, presented by PKS Investments, on August 7 will feature the first of six postgame fireworks shows in August presented by Upstate New York Toyota.
On August 8, the ValleyCats are hosting STRIDE Adaptive Sports Night to make up for a postponement in July. The night will also feature fans going Around the World in 9 Innings with various games and food specials. The team will pay homage to the Hudson River's geographic, economic and cultural influence, with Tri-City's alternate "Los Puentes" identity that celebrates the role of bridges in connecting New York's Capital Region. Tri-City aims to use baseball's connective tissue to span cultural divides and celebrate the region's diversity through a shared experience. The busy night is also Faith and Family Night.
The ValleyCats then crossover to the gridiron for the series finale against Windy City on August 9 for NFL Night. The day is also a Sunday Funday, presented by Highmark BSNENY, where families are invited to come out early - gates open at 3:30 p.m. - to have a pre-game catch on the field, read book with ValleyCats players. After the game, which is scheduled for a 5 p.m. first pitch, fans can stick around to run the bases after the game. Plus, another postgame fireworks show presented by Upstate New York Toyota is scheduled to cap things off.
August 11 is shaping up to be a very special day at The Joe as the 'Cats will host the Sussex County Miners for a series opener that features the annual Tunnel to Towers Night presented by UDig NY and National Grid.
With 2026 being the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation continues to provide mortgage-free homes to gold star and fallen first responder families. Several special pre-game ceremonies are scheduled, including bagpipes and drums performances, stadium flyovers, and raffles.
The ValleyCats will also be wearing special Tunnel to Towers jerseys, which will be auctioned off during the game to raise funds for the organization and the heroes it supports. Links to the online auction will be available on the ValleyCats social media accounts and TCValleyCats.com on game day.
The entire night culminates with another postgame fireworks show courtesy of Upstate New York Toyota.
Hawaiian Night follows that up on August 12 before the ValleyCats finish the homestand with Arts in the Ballpark Night on August 13. The Albany Institute of History & Art will help celebrate the connection between baseball and art, while fans can also enter to win Norman Rockwell baseball-related art prints as well. The third fireworks show of the week, presented by Upstate New York Toyota, caps off the day.
The ValleyCats highly recommend fans always purchase tickets by visiting TCValleyCats.com, stopping by the box office at The Joe, or by calling 518-629-CATS. This ensures that fans are working directly with the ValleyCats to get the most affordable and complete options available.
Glitnir Ticketing is the ValleyCats' only approved ticket partner, and the team cannot guarantee any purchases from resellers or 3rd parties. Buying tickets from any other resellers or 3rd parties may also result in inflated pricing or additional fees.
Tri-City's final home games of the 2026 season are scheduled for August 25-30 against the Down East Bird Dawgs.
Frontier League Stories from July 26, 2026
- Evansville Wins Back-And-Forth Finale, Takes Series over Mud Monsters - Mississippi Mud Monsters
- Pierce's Big Hit Leads Otters to Fourth Straight Win - Evansville Otters
- Three-Run Homer from AJ Wright Fuels Titans Win over Aigles - Ottawa Titans
- Bird Dawgs Blow Four-Run Lead, Fall on Hacopian's Second Walk-Off of Weekend - Down East Bird Dawgs
- ValleyCats Can't Catch Jackals Despite Brilliant Defense - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Wild Things Escape Homestead with Dramatic Sudden Death Victory - Washington Wild Things
- ThunderBolts Fall Short in Sunday Rubber Match against Y'alls - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Miners Find a New Hope, Win Game Three - Sussex County Miners
- Grizzlies Roast Crushers, Win Series - Gateway Grizzlies
- Slammers Lock Down Comeback Attempt from Boomers to Close Series with a Win - Joliet Slammers
- Ninth Inning Rally Thwarted as Boomers Drop Finale with Joliet - Schaumburg Boomers
- Florence Rebounds with Exhilarating Win - Florence Y'alls
- Crushers Defeated by Grizzlies 9-1 - Lake Erie Crushers
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