'Gades End 2013 With A Sweep

Finish the season 38-37

September 4, 2013

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY (September 4, 2013) - When the smoke from the fireworks cleared, 4,621 people at Dutchess Stadium departed for the final time in 2013. Most goodbyes are bittersweet, but especially in baseball, where the last day of the season allows those who took part in it to reflect back on all the memories. The Renegades long 76-game journey began back on June 17 in Aberdeen, when this year's squad still heard the echoes from a championship season just one year ago. The ups and downs and everything in between brought Michael Johns and his team to the season's final day, where they defeated the Connecticut Tigers 4-1 on Wednesday night.

Omar Narvaez and Granden Goetzman opened the bottom of the second with a pair of singles. Zach Reininger later walked James Harris with one out to load the bases for the bottom of the order. Thomas Milone then struck out swinging, but Ben Kline came through with a hard single into center that plated a pair of runners and made it 2-0.

The Tigers were threatening against Chris Kirsch in the third after Kasey Coffman doubled Curt Powell to third with two outs to put the tying runs in scoring position. Kirsch continued his terrific final month of the season by getting Ben Verlander to fly out to retire the side, and he wouldn't allow another hit over his final two innings.

With the score still 2-0 in the home sixth, James Harris hit a one out single off Tigers long reliever Julio Felix, who had already pitched three scoreless innings. Harris stole second and quickly scored on Milone's RBI single in just his second Renegades game. Cory Jordan and Aaron Griffin each pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the sixth and seventh, which opened the door to a suspenseful top of the eighth.

Anthony Tzamtzis loaded the bases with one out after a pair of walks and a hit batter. For the second time in a week, Rick Teasley was the next man in line to come out of the bullpen, and once again he was clutch. Just as he did in Connecticut when the teams closed out their series at Dodd Stadium, Teasley got a sac fly from Brett Harrison that made it 3-1 and another flyout from Chris Taladay to keep the lead intact.

Hudson Valley's final run came in the eighth with two outs after Milone and Kline reached on a pair of singles. With runners at the corners, Ariel Soriano punched an infield single to the left side for his 31st RBI of the season to give the 'Gades a 4-1 lead. But Connecticut wasn't done in the ninth after a pair of singles from their eight and nine hitters brought the tying run to the plate. Teasley locked it up after Powell grounded out to first and Coffman struck out swinging on a 3-2 pitch to end the season with flare.

NOTES: The Renegades finished 20-18 at Dutchess Stadium…the 38-37 record ties them with Brooklyn for second place in the McNamara Division…Kirsch (4-3) won his first game against an opponent other than Aberdeen…Darryl George finished1-for-5 and will now head to the Class-A Bowling Green Hot Rods to help former Renegades manager Jared Sandberg during their playoff run…Milone and Kline each finished 3-for-4 and accounted for three of the four RBIs…eight of the nine Renegades finished with hits…Teasley earned his second save.

The Hudson Valley Renegades would like to thank its loyal fan base for a fun and special 20th season. Without their support, none of this would be possible. In 2013, the organization welcomed its 3 millionth fan to Dutchess Stadium and set a new attendance record when 5,539 came to The Dutch for the August 15th game against Brooklyn. The 2014 season will be here before you know it, so make sure you visit www.hvrenegades.com for all of your offseason news and information.