ValleyCats Drop Slugfest to Wild Things
May 19, 2023 - Frontier League (FL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
TROY, NY - The Tri-City ValleyCats (2-5) fell 9-6 in their series opener against the Washington Wild Things (6-1) on Friday at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.
Eric Beaulac was the guest starter for Tri-City tonight. He spent time on the Baltimore Orioles big league roster in 2012, and played six years in the Minor Leagues between the Orioles and the New York Mets. The Troy native partnered with the ValleyCats in his Visionary of the Year campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; to donate or learn more about his campaign, click here. Beaulac left with a standing ovation after he retired the side in order in a nine-pitch first inning in his first professional appearance since 2014.
The ValleyCats broke the deadlock in the bottom of the first. Cito Culver greeted Angel Landazuri with a double, and was moved to third on a single by Josh Broughton. Trey Hair hit into a double play to bring in Culver, and give Tri-City a 1-0 lead.
Joe Johnson came in relief of Beaulac in the second, and issued a solo homer to Melvin Novoa. Andrew Czech walked before Anthony Brocato brought him in with an RBI double. Brocato then came around on a two-run blast from Ian Walters to pull Washington ahead, 4-1.
The ValleyCats retaliated in the third. Culver led off the frame with his second double. Broughton walked, and Hair plated Culver with a single. Zach Biermann knocked in a pair with a double. Jakob Goldfarb collected his second two-bagger to bring home Biermann, and put the 'Cats on top, 5-4.
Landazuri received a no-decision. He threw 3.1 innings, yielding six runs on 10 hits, walking one, and striking out four.
Scotty Dubrule worked a one-out walk in the fourth, and Nick Grotta drove him in with a double to tie the game 5-5.
Pavin Parks singled and was replaced by Culver at first base, who reached on a fielder's choice to open the home half of the fourth. Broughton singled for his fifth multi-hit game of the season. Carson McCusker lined an RBI single off Stephen Knapp as Culver came around to score, and pull Tri-City ahead, 6-5. Broughton tried to score on the same play, but was gunned out by Brocato.
Wagner Legrange ended Johnson's night with a solo homer to make it a 6-6 ballgame. Johnson tossed four innings, he gave up six runs on six hits, walked three, and struck out one.
Aaron Ernst went out for his second inning of work in the eighth. He issued back-to-back free passes to Brocato and Walters. Harrison Ray ripped a go-ahead single to left off Reymin Guduan. Broughton's throw to the plate caused both runners to advance, but Ciaran Devenney threw the ball away, allowing Walters to score on an E2. Grotta then followed suit with another RBI base hit to provide Washington with a 9-6 cushion.
The Wild Things bullpen fired five 5.2 scoreless innings. Knapp (1-0) earned the win. He hurled 3.2 innings in relief, yielding two hits, walking none, and striking out one. Ernst (0-1) received the loss. He tossed an inning, allowing two runs on no hits, walking two, and striking out one. Lukas Young picked up his first save of the season with a shutout ninth inning. He did not give up a hit, walked one, and struck out one.
The ValleyCats begin a three-game homestand tomorrow, Saturday, May 20 at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium against the Washington Wild Things. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Season Twenty-FUN of ValleyCats baseball and entertainment continues back at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium tomorrow, Saturday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. for game two of their three-game series with the Washington Wild Things. Fans can bring their favorite pair of jeans or jean jackets to the ballpark tomorrow for Denim Day. You can secure your seats today and be a part of the excitement by logging on to tcvalleycats.com or by calling 518-629-CATS (2287).
Frontier League Stories from May 19, 2023
- Grizzlies Blitz Ottawa on "Toasted Ravioli" Night - Gateway Grizzlies
- Otters' Power Surge Leads to Fourth Straight Win - Evansville Otters
- Three Home Runs Power Miners - Sussex County Miners
- Boulders End Losing Streak With Win Over Capitales - New York Boulders
- Late Homer Lifts Boomers to Win in Home Opener - Schaumburg Boomers
- Crushers Defeat Y'alls, 6-2 - Lake Erie Crushers
- ValleyCats Drop Slugfest to Wild Things - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Wild Things Win Fifth in a Row with 9-6 Win at Tri-City - Washington Wild Things
- Y'alls Falter in Middle Innings, Drop Road Opener - Florence Y'alls
- Late Surge Pushes Miners Past ValleyCats - Sussex County Miners
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
