FL Tri-City ValleyCats

ValleyCats Earn the Series Win Thanks to Three-Run 10th

Published on May 12, 2024 under Frontier League (FL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release


CRESTWOOD, Ill. - Originally down 4-1, the Tri-City ValleyCats (2-1) completed the comeback in 10 innings, and defeated the Windy City ThunderBolts (2-2) 8-5 at Ozinga Field on Sunday.

Jaxon Hallmark began the game with a single for the third consecutive day. He advanced to second on a wild pitch from John Mikolaicyk. A flyout from Javeyan Williams moved Hallmark to third, who came around on an RBI groundout from Alec Olund to give the ValleyCats a 1-0 lead.

Windy City responded in the bottom of the first. Jaylen Hubbard singled off Dan Beebe, and went to third on an error from Hallmark. Ethan Lopez worked a walk, and both runners advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch. Christian Kuzemka reached on an error from Tyson Gingerich, allowing Lopez to score, and providing the ThunderBolts with a 2-1 advantage.

Hubbard singled again in the third, and stole second base. Lopez and Kuzemka followed suit with back-to-back RBI doubles to pull Windy City ahead, 4-1.

Beebe worked in and out of trouble in the fifth. Cam Phelts singled, and went to third on an errant pickoff attempt from Beebe. The second-year ValleyCat got out of the jam by inducing three consecutive groundouts. Beebe received the no-decision, and threw five frames, yielding four runs, two earned on five hits, walking two, and striking out three.

Tri-City stormed back in the sixth. Ryan Cash opened the frame with a double. Williams singled in a run, and went to second on the throw. Olund was hit by a pitch, and Oscar Campos reached on a 5-4 fielder's choice. Ian Walters ended Mikolaicyk's afternoon with an RBI single. Justin Miller entered, and gave up a two-run double to Kyle Novak, which put the ValleyCats on top, 5-4.

Mikolaicyk was also handed a no-decision. He pitched 5.2 innings, giving up five runs on four hits, walking one, and striking out nine.

The 'Bolts tied the game 5-5 in the seventh thanks to a home run from Joe Johnson off of Rolando Heredia-Bustos.

Tri-City broke open the floodgates in the 10 th . Tyson Gingerich was the ghost runner at second base, and Hallmark got aboard via a one-out walk against Tyler Naumann. Olund delivered his ninth RBI of the series with a single, which moved Hallmark to third, and Olund reached second on the throw. Oscar Campos added some insurance with a two-run single to pull the ValleyCats ahead, 8-5.

Medrano (1-0) earned the win, and shut down the Windy City offense over the final three frames yielding two hits, and striking out three.

Naumann (0-1) received the loss. He pitched two innings, allowing three runs, two earned on three hits, walking two, and striking out four.

Tri-City continues its road trip with the series opener against the Schaumburg Boomers tomorrow, Monday, May 13 th . First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 EDT.

FINAL (10) | TRI-CITY 8 | WINDY CITY 5

W: Nathan Medrano (1-0)

L: Tyler Naumann (0-1)

Attendance: 1,251

Check out the Tri-City ValleyCats Statistics

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Frontier League Stories from May 12, 2024


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