Flirting With Perfection

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY -Hudson Valley pitchers had a perfect working through the first 6.2 innings as the Renegades shut out the West Virginia Black Bears 8-0 Thursday night from Dutchess Staidum. The win snapped a three-game home losing streak for the Renegades.
The scoring in the first inning as centerfielder Tanner Dodson singled in leftfielder Michael Smith from second to give Hudson Valley a 1-0 lead. They extended their advantage to 2-0 after a hit to rightfield by first baseman Jacson McGowan bounced over the head of Black Bears rightfielder Brett Kinneman. Catcher Chris Betts scored from first on the play, and McGowan motored into third with an RBI triple, and the Renegades owned a 2-0 lead.
Hudson Valley added two more runs in the fourth without the benefit of a hit. Designated hitter Erik Ostberg started the inning with a walk, then moved to second on a failed pickoff attempt from West Virginia reliever Shea Murray. After a balk moved Ostberg to third, second baseman Garrett Giovannelli hit a come-backer to Murray. Ostberg broke for home, and Murray went to plate, however the throw was in the dirt and bounced to the backstop allowing Ostberg to score and Giovannelli to reach first on a fielder's choice. From there, Giovannelli stole second, third and home to up the Renegades lead to 4-0, as the swipe of home came on a double steal with Smith to second.
The home team kept the beat going with two more runs in the fifth. Three consecutive singles started the inning to load the bases before a wild pitch from Black Bears relief pitcher Cody Smith scored Betts from third and moved the other runners up a base. Two batters later, rightfielder Jake Stone lifted a sac fly to right to make the score 6-0.
The Renegades would add their final two runs in the seventh as RBI singles from Smith and Dodson made the score 8-0.
Starting pitcher Michael Mercado was unhittable for the Renegades as he tossed five perfect innings and struck out six of the 15 hitters he faced in picking up his first win of the year to move to 1-0. The loss fell to West Virginia starter Zachary Spears (0-1) who allowed two runs on six hits in three frames.
Hudson Valley tied a season-high in hits with 14. Betts went 3-4 with two runs, while McGowan went 2-4 with a triple, a run and an RBI. Dodson finished 2-5 with two RBI, Ostberg went 2-3 with two runs scored, and Rondon finished 2-5 with a run as well.
The Black Bears had three hits in the game with no one registering more than one. Hudson Valley hurlers had a perfect game broken up by a two-out double in the seventh by first baseman Luke Mangieri.
Hudson Valley finishes its three-game series against West Virginia tomorrow. Game time is 7:05 and there will be fireworks after the game. Right-hander Nick Padilla (1-3, 2.81 ERA) on the hill for the Renegades against fellow righty Alexander Manasa (1-3, 6.15 ERA) of the Black Bears. Tickets can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com or by calling the ticket office at 845-838-0094.