'Gades Walk Off Victorious 7-6
The Renegades (45-20) earned a season-best eighth consecutive victory in stunning fashion, erasing one- and five-run margins to best the IronBirds (25-40) for the ninth time this season. The Renegades have taken the last eight contests between the two clubs, and now have notched four walk-off victories in 2012.
Aberdeen drew first blood in the top of the first inning. Leadoff man Anthony Vega drew a walk from Renegades starter Eduar Quiñonez, and moved to second on a single from Creede Simpson. Torsten Boss hit an infield single to load the bases with no outs, setting up Joel Hutter for a sacrifice fly to center to score Vega and give Aberdeen the 1-0 lead.
The Renegades struck back in the bottom of the third. Center fielder Joey Rickard was struck by a pitch from IronBirds starter Brady Wager to lead off the inning, and stole second base with second baseman Tommy Coyle batting. Coyle singled Rickard to third with no outs, and third baseman Richie Shaffer lined a single to center to plate Rickard and tie the ballgame 1-1.
The IronBirds surged ahead in the top of the fifth. Scott Kalush drew a leadoff walk, advancing to third on a double by Vega. Simpson crushed the first pitch he saw to left field for a three-run homer - his second blast in as many days - to give Aberdeen the 4-1 lead. With one out, Hutter reached on an error by Coyle, and moved up to third on a double by Sam Kimmel. Cameron Edman lofted a sacrifice fly to center to score Hutter, and Kimmel came home on an RBI double by Manny Hernandez. Jordan Harrison finally relieved Quiñonez, and struck out Will Howard to end the top of the fifth with the Renegades trailing 6-1.
Hudson Valley made sure Aberdeen's elation was short-lived in the bottom of the fifth. Rickard drew a leadoff walk, advancing to second when Wager threw away a pickoff attempt. Coyle singled Rickard to third, and Shaffer singled through the right side to score Rickard and advance Coyle to third base. Catcher Luke Maile bounced a ground ball through the left side for an RBI single; Coyle came home and Shaffer moved up to second. First baseman Ryan Dunn lashed a hard shot up the third base line for a double, scoring both Maile and Shaffer and cutting the lead to 6-5. Wager was yanked for reliever Sander Beck, who promptly fired a wild pitch to allow Dunn to reach third. Beck fanned both shortstop Leonardo Reginatto and designated hitter Justin O'Conner, bringing Marty Gantt to the plate. Beck got ahead with two strikes on Gantt, but then uncorked another wild pitch. Dunn sped home to score and tie the game at 6-6. Beck whiffed Gantt on the next pitch, but the damage was done; the teams were deadlocked.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Renegades threatened to win the game when Shaffer drew a one-out walk. He moved to second on a bang-bang play at first that retired Maile for out number two. Dunn hit a bouncer to short that Hutter fielded but fired off-line to first, drawing Edman off the bag and allowing Dunn to reach safely. Shaffer had overrun third and was caught between bases; Edman threw to third, and Shaffer broke for the plate. Boss fired a laser home, and Scott Kalush tagged Shaffer out, sending the game into extra innings tied 6-6.
The Renegades finally had the breakthrough in the eleventh inning. With Bennett Parry (0-2) on the mound, right fielder Charles Epperson pounded a leadoff single past a diving Hutter at shortstop. Rickard flew out to left field for the first out. With Coyle at the dish, Epperson stole second, and moved to third on a bad throw from Kalush trying to catch him. Coyle lofted a fly ball to medium center field, and Epperson raced home on the sacrifice fly to score the winning run and touch off the celebration at home plate.
Quiñonez gave up six runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks in 4.2 innings; he whiffed five. Harrison threw 3.1 perfect frames of relief, striking out three. Dylan Floro threw two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and an intentional walk. Marcus Jensen (4-1) threw a perfect top of the 11th with two strikeouts for the win.
Wager allowed six runs on nine hits and two walks in four innings, fanning three. Beck gave up a hit and a walk in three innings; he struck out seven, but his two wild pitches allowed an inherited runner to score. Josh Hader threw two innings of scoreless relief, walking one and striking out two. Parry took the loss, allowing an unearned run on one hit and notching a strikeout.
The Renegades will go for their ninth straight win and third straight sweep Sunday against the IronBirds. Hudson Valley righty Jesse Hahn will toe the rubber against Abeerdeen right-hander Sebastian Vader. It's Famous 40s Day at the Dutch! The Renegades will pay tribute to the players from the best baseball decade thus far. First 1,000 kids 12 and under will receive a Renegades backpack courtesy of NY 529. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m., with Ben Gellman's pregame show set for 12:50 p.m. on 1450 and 1370 AM WKIP, as well as online at HVRenegades.com.
Great seats are still available for all of the remaining Renegades regular season games, and playoff tickets are also now on sale. Call the ticket office 845-838-0094 for information or go to www.hvrenegades.com!