So Close: Late comeback falls short in Aberdeen

Aberdeen, Md. (May 8, 2024) — The Hudson Valley Renegades jumped in front early, but the Aberdeen IronBirds came from behind to win for the second consecutive night in a 6-5 victory at Leidos Field.

The game began with a leadoff home run by Roc Riggio on the first pitch of the game, sending one well beyond the right field fence.

In the bottom of the first, Terrin Vavra doubled with one out, and advanced to third on a Nelson Medina misplay in the outfield. Vavra then came home to score on a wild pitch to make it 1-1.

Hudson Valley broke the tie in the fourth, with back-to-back doubles by Jace Avina and Jesus Rodriguez, who already has four RBIs in the series and three extra-base hits.

In the bottom half of the inning, Aberdeen scored their second run with three consecutive hits, all coming with two outs. A single by Enrique Bradfield began the rally. Vavra moved Bradfield to third with a base hit, and Max Wagner singled home Bradfield in the following plate appearance.

With the score tied 2-2 in the fifth, the Renegades again jumped in front. A walk to Kiko Romero to begin the fifth was followed by a walk to Riggio. With runners at first and second, Romero and Riggio orchestrated a double steal, and Jared Serna then knocked in the two runners with a single to right, giving the Renegades a 4-2 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, Aberdeen responded again, this time with a three-run inning. Creed Willems reached on a walk with one out in the fifth, and Tavian Josenberger reached on an error. A walk to Carter Young loaded up the bases, and Enrique Bradfield forced in a run with a base on balls in the ensuing at-bat. This was followed by a single from Terrin Vavra, which knocked in Josenberger and Young, putting the IronBirds in front 5-4.

Creed Willems added a solo home run in the sixth inning to extend the lead to 6-4.

In the seventh, the Renegades got a run back, as Romero launched a solo shot to right, his third long ball of the season. Hudson Valley could not bring home the tying run in the late innings, and Aberdeen closed out a 6-5 win.

The Renegades look for their first win of the series with the IronBirds on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m., with the Heritage Financial Credit Union Pregame Show beginning at 6:45 on the Renegades Baseball Network. Hudson Valley will start Jackson Fristoe (0-0, 5.59), while Zach Fruit (0-2, 2.95) will toe the rubber for the IronBirds.