Doubledays Drop Close Game to Renegades

AUBURN, NY - The Doubledays got a stellar start from Matthew Crownover, but weren't able to hold off the Renegades in 4-2 loss in game one of the three-game series.

In each of the first three innings, Hudson Valley had a runner reach second with one or no outs, and both times it failed to cash in. After another failed opportunity for the Renegades in the fourth, the Doubledays struck.

With one out, Rhett Wiseman hit a double into the right field corner and advanced on an error as the right fielder Cade Gotta misplayed the ball in the corner. With David Kerian batting, Wiseman sprinted in from third on a wild pitch and Auburn took and early 1-0 lead.

Crownover's final inning of work came in the fifth when he retired the Renegades' first three hitters in order. The lefty's start was his best as a professional so far and his line was: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, and 2 K's. 

Grante Borne replaced Crownover in the sixth, and got a quick out when Gotta grounded out to second. Manny Sanchez dug in next and doubled to left and Alex Schmidt moved him over to third with an infield single to second. The next hitter was Nic Wilson and he drove in Sanchez with a sacrifice fly to tie the game up at 1-1. After Wilson, Angel Moreno stepped in and singled into right and advanced all the way to third on an errant throw home from Wiseman to give the Renegades a 2-1 lead. With Taylor Hawkins batting next, Moreno ran in from third on a passed ball and after four and a half Hudson Valley led 3-1.

After a scoreless seventh, the Renegades added an insurance run in the seventh. With one out, Schmidt singled to right center and moved to third on a single from Wilson to right center as well. Schmidt then scored on a passed ball and Hudson Valley took a 4-1 lead.

The Doubledays failed to record a hit in the sixth, seventh, or eighth before David Kerian led off the ninth with a double to right. The designated hitter moved to third on a passed ball and scored on an RBI ground out from Jakson Reetz for the second out. Trailing by two with two outs, Randy Encarnacion struck out swinging to end the game. 

Angel Yepez earned the victory in a solid start with the following line: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 3 K's. The two relievers for Hudson Valley, Reece Karalus and Brandon Koch, combined for the following line: 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 4 K's, with the run and hit both being charged to Koch in the ninth.

Auburn returns to Falcon Park for game two of the series Saturday night at 7:05 PM. Taylor Hearn (1-2, 3.50 ERA) starts for the Doubledays against Benton Moss (1-1, 3.48 ERA) for the Renegades. Postgame fireworks at the ballpark are sponsored by The Wall 99.3!

Friday's Particulars:

WP - Angel Yepez (3-1)

LP - Grant Borne (1-1)

SV - Brandon Koch (3)

HR - AUB: None, HV: None