Pitchers Again Lead 'Gades to Win

ABERDEEN, MD-For the second night in a row the Hudson Valley Renegades used stellar pitching and timely hitting to defeat the Aberdeen Ironbirds 3-1 Saturday night at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.
It was, again, the pitching which led the way for Hudson Valley as starter Paul Campbell (1-0) tossed five scoreless innings and struck out four on two hits en route to his first win of the season.
Offensively, the Renegades once again started early by plating two runs in the first inning. Two singles and a throwing error to start the game by Aberdeen put runners at second and third with no one out. Designated hitter Trey Hair then lined a single to left to score shortstop Ford Proctor and move second baseman Tyler Frank to third. First baseman Jacson McGowan followed with a double play ball to score Frank and put the Renegades up 2-0.
Hudson Valley added another run in the fourth when a rightfield double by Hair scored Proctor from second to up the Renegades' lead to 3-0.
Aberdeen scored its lone run in the seventh off Hudson Valley reliever Jesus Ortiz. A double to right by rightfielder Robert Neustrom started the inning for the Ironbirds. Two batters later, second baseman Milton Ramos laced a double to center to score Neustrom from second and put Aberdeen on the board for the first time this season.
But that was as close as Aberdeen would get as Ortiz got out of the inning and finished the night by going three frames and allowing the lone run on three hits with four strikeouts. Southpaw Andrew Gist (1) closed out the game for Hudson Valley by pitching a 1-2-3 ninth with a strikeout.
The Renegades registered seven hits with six coming from the top third of their lineup, which went a combined 6-12 for the game. Proctor, Frank and Hair did the honors with Hair driving in two runs including his RBI double in the fourth.
The Ironbirds finished with five hits, two of which came from Neustrom who went 2-4 with a double and run scored. Righty Hector Guance (0-1) took the loss for Aberdeen as he surrendered two runs on four hits in four innings. He also struck out three.  
The series finishes tomorrow as the Renegades look to go for the sweep tomorrow at 4:05. Righty Michael Mercado (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will start for Hudson Valley against fellow righty Luis Perez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) for Aberdeen
The Renegades kick off the home portion of their season when they face the Vermont Lake Monsters on Thursday, June 21 from Dutchess Stadium. First-pitch is slated for 7:05p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com or by calling the ticket office at 845-838-0094.
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