Thrice As Nice: Renegades secure third straight walk-off win over ABD
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 18, 2024) — For the third straight night, the Hudson Valley Renegades secured a walk-off win over the Aberdeen IronBirds on Thursday night at Heritage Financial Park. The 8-7 triumph over Aberdeen was Hudson Valley’s fourth straight win. With one out in the bottom of the
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 18, 2024) — For the third straight night, the Hudson Valley Renegades secured a walk-off win over the Aberdeen IronBirds on Thursday night at Heritage Financial Park. The 8-7 triumph over Aberdeen was Hudson Valley’s fourth straight win.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning and Jace Avina batting, IronBirds reliever Deivy Cruz unleashed a wild pitch to score Cole Gabrielson from third with the winning run.
The game did not look destined for a third consecutive walk-off early on as the Renegades jumped on Levi Wells for four runs in the bottom of the first. After three straight walks to begin the frame, Garrett Martin lined a three-run double to center to clear the bases. With Josh Moylan at the plate, Martin stole third and scored on a throwing error by Creed Willems to give the Renegades a 4-0 lead.
Brian Hendry allowed two unearned runs in the top of the third on a pair of fielder’s choices, but was strong outside of that. In his first home start the right-hander threw 4.0 innings and allowed just those two runs on two hits, walking three and striking out three.
The Renegades extended the lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run home run to right by Kiko Romero, his first of the season. The IronBirds answered with a run in the fifth and two in the seventh against Yorlin Calderon to cut the gap down to 6-5.
The inning could have been much worse if not for a phenomenal double play turned by Roc Riggio. On a pop up to shallow center by Willems, Riggio tracked back and caught the ball before tumbling over centerfielder Nelson Medina. He then threw blindly to second where Moylan tagged the bag to double off Hudson Haskin to end the inning.
A CIRCUS DOUBLE PLAY BY ROC RIGGIO!!!!
— Hudson Valley Renegades (@HVRenegades) April 19, 2024
GET THAT ON SPORTSCENTER! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/IlMKrHfWX6
In the bottom of the seventh, Martin lined an RBI single to center to score Avina and pad the lead to 7-5. Martin finished 2-for-4 with a run scored, a double, and four RBIs.
Aberdeen struck for two runs in the top of the ninth inning against Joel Valdez to tie the game at 7-7 and set the stage for Gabrielson’s dash to the plate to win the game.
The win was the third walk-off win in a row for the Renegades and already their fourth one-run victory of the season in their 11th game. At 8-3, the ‘Gades are off to their best start to the season since starting 11-3 in 2018.
Hudson Valley and Aberdeen continue their series on Friday night at Heritage Financial Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with pregame coverage on the Renegades Baseball Network at 6:45. RHP Sebastian Keane (0-1, 6.00) is scheduled to start for the Renegades, while the IronBirds counter with RHP Jackson Baumeister (0-0, 1.50). It is the first Fireworks Friday of the season at Heritage Financial Park, with tickets available at www.hvrenegades.com/tickets.