Golden Hour: Retrievers take an 8-1 victory over Emperors
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (July 24, 2025) — Led by an early offensive outburst and a combined three-hitter from five pitchers, the Hudson Valley Renegades conquered the Rome Emperors 8-1 on Thursday night at Heritage Financial Park. The Renegades played the game as the Hudson Valley Retrievers presented by the Brothers
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (July 24, 2025) — Led by an early offensive outburst and a combined three-hitter from five pitchers, the Hudson Valley Renegades conquered the Rome Emperors 8-1 on Thursday night at Heritage Financial Park. The Renegades played the game as the Hudson Valley Retrievers presented by the Brothers that just do Gutters.
Hudson Valley scored three in the bottom of the first against Herick Hernandez, with Jackson Castillo leading off with a single and immediately scoring on a wall-ball double by Dillon Lewis. Two batters later, Jose Colmenares flew a two-run home run to left to give the ‘Gades a 3-0 lead.
DINGER FROM THE DOGS!
— Hudson Valley Renegades (@HVRenegades) July 24, 2025
José Colmenares hits a 2-run blast in the 1st🐾 pic.twitter.com/AxL6De2quH
Making his first start off the injured list in 2025, Cade Smith had a solid outing, tossing 2.2 shutout innings, allowing three walks but no hits and striking out three. Matt Keating (2-1) allowed one run – on an RBI groundout in the top of the fourth – across 3.0 innings of relief, a new season-high in innings for him.
Chris Kean followed with 1.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, while the Renegades added on three more runs in the bottom of the seventh.
With the bases loaded and no outs against Riley Frey, Josh Moylan drew a four-pitch walk to force in a run. The base on balls extended Moylan’s on-base streak to 23 straight games, tied with Jace Avina for the longest by a Renegade this season.
Kiko Romero lifted a sacrifice fly to drive in another run, and a third scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the inning to extend the lead to 6-1.
The Renegades added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth thanks to three hits, including an RBI single from Colmenares to grow the advantage to 8-1. Jordany Ventura and Tony Rossi combined to slam the door shut late to seal the win for Hudson Valley.
The Renegades and Emperors continue their series at Heritage Financial Park on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. LHP Griffin Herring (3-2, 2.22) takes the ball for Hudson Valley against LHP Jacob Kroeger (1-3, 2.23) for Rome.
Friday is the annual Christmas in July celebration at Heritage Financial Park, capped off with another Fireworks Friday. The Renegades are hosting a Toy Drive to benefit Project My Day, Inc. at the ballpark, with all fans bringing toys to receive one (1) free GA ticket to any remaining 2025 Renegades home game. For tickets and more information, visit www.hvrenegades.com/tickets.