Aberdeen overcomes early deficit to win 9-2

Aberdeen, Md. (May 9, 2024) — On Thursday night, the Aberdeen IronBirds used a four-run fourth inning to complete a comeback 9-2 victory over the Hudson Valley Renegades at Leidos Field.

Starters Zach Fruit and Jackson Fristoe both had strong starts to their outings, allowing just two hits combined through the first two innings.

Cole Gabrielson led off the top of the third inning with a walk, and Roc Riggio followed with an RBI triple into right-center. An infield single by Jared Serna in the ensuing at-bat brought home Riggio to give Hudson Valley a 2-0 lead.

After Fristoe faced the minimum through three innings with four strikeouts, Aberdeen found their footing offensively in the fourth. Tavian Josenberger hit a solo home run with one out to get the IronBirds on the board. Then Mac Horvath was then hit by a pitch, and Matthew Etzel reached on a walk. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, and Elio Prado drove them both home with a two-run single to center, putting the IronBirds in front 3-2. A throwing error by Fristoe later in the inning allowed Prado to score and make it a four-run inning for Aberdeen.

Aberdeen added another run in the fifth when Enrique Bradfield walked, and then Josenberger singled. A double steal moved runners to second and third, and a throwing error by Jesus Rodriguez allowed Bradfield to come home to grow the lead to 5-2.

In the seventh, the IronBirds scored two more runs to push their lead to five. Douglas Hodo singled to lead off the inning and stole second base. Creed Willems then reached on a throwing error by Riggio, which allowed Hodo to round third and score. A pair of wild pitches by Steven Fulgencio moved Willems to third, and he came around to score on an RBI groundout from Bradfield.

Aberdeen added two final runs in the eighth. Horvath reached on a walk, and Etzel earned a base on balls behind him. After a double steal, an RBI single from Prado scored them both to make it a 9-2 Aberdeen lead.

Jace Avina extended his on-base streak to 16 games for Hudson Valley, tied for the longest streak in the South Atlantic League. Jesus Rodriguez also had his 11th multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-4.

Hudson Valley will look for their first win of the series tomorrow night at 7:05, with the Heritage Financial Credit Union Pregame Show beginning at 6:45 on the Renegades Baseball Network. Sebastian Keane (1-3, 6.20) will start for the Renegades, while Jackson Baumeister (0-1, 1.50) will go for the IronBirds.