Aberdeen uses two late-inning home runs to secure 5-3 win

Aberdeen, Md. (May 10, 2024) — On a rainy Friday night, the Aberdeen IronBirds used a pair of solo home runs in the late innings to win 5-3 over the Hudson Valley Renegades.

The Renegades jumped in front twice in the first two innings, but the IronBirds were able to match them on both occasions.

Roc Riggio led off the game with a double, and Jace Avina knocked him with a two-bagger of his own later in the frame. With his double, Avina extended his on-base streak to 17 games, the second-longest streak in the South Atlantic League. After Avina stole third, Jesus Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Avina and put the Renegades ahead 2-0.

In the first, Aberdeen rallied with two outs through singles from Max Wagner and Mac Horvath. Both moved into scoring position with stolen bases, and Matthew Etzel knocked in both runners with a two-run single.

Nelson Medina led off the second inning with a walk. After a Beau Brewer base on balls, Riggio reached on a fielder’s choice, Jared Serna walked to load the bases. With Rodriguez at the plate, Medina scored from third on a wild pitch to put Hudson Valley back in front 3-2.

In the third, Terrin Vavra singled to begin the inning, and a Wagner double put runners at second and third. Horvath then hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Vavra, knotting up the score at 3-3.

Both pitching staffs held the opposition off the scoreboard for three consecutive innings. Aberdeen took their first lead of the game in the seventh with an Elio Prado solo home run down the left-field line.

The IronBirds got an insurance run in the eighth with a Horvath home run to right with two outs.

Beginning with an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the third, Sebastian Keane, Luis Arejula, and Hueston Morrill combined to retire 16 of the final 18 batters they faced in the game. The IronBirds had just two hits after the third inning, both being solo home runs.

The Aberdeen bullpen secured the final six outs to complete a 5-3 victory.

Hudson Valley and Aberdeen will continue their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m., with the Heritage Financial Credit Union Pregame Show beginning at 6:45 on the Renegades Baseball Network. Southpaw Kyle Carr (0-2, 5.89) will start for the Renegades, while the IronBirds will throw Levi Wells (0-2, 11.57).