Bad Inning Dooms Renegades

Five-Run Eighth Propels Lake Monsters

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY—A five-run eighth inning, which included four hits, three wild pitches, a walk, and a passed ball, proved to be the difference as the Vermont Lake Monsters defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades 7-3 Wednesday afternoon from Dutchess Stadium in front of 4,524 fans, including many campers who took part in the team’s annual Camp Day.

The Lake Monsters started the scoring in the third.  First baseman Jose Rivas walked, then went to third on a one-out double to right by second baseman Yerdel Vargas.  Centerfielder Michael Woodworth followed with a groundout to short to plate Rivas and give Vermont a 1-0 lead.

The Renegades countered with a run of their own in the bottom-half.  Leftfielder Garrett Hiott and third baseman Nick Sogard started the inning with back-to-back singles to put runners at first and second.  After a wild pitch moved both runners up with one out, designated hitter Jacson McGowan grounded to short to score Hiott and tie the game.

Hudson Valley would take the lead in the fourth.  Second baseman Kevin Santiago drew a one-out walk, went to second on a wild pitch, then scored on a looping single to left center from centerfielder K.V. Edwards to give the Renegades a 2-1 lead.

However, Vermont came right back with a run of their own in the fifth.  Leftfielder Shane Selman started the inning with a double down the leftfield line.  After a groundout moved him to third, designated hitter Kevin Richards lifted a sacrifice fly to left to knot the score at two.

The Renegades would then respond in the bottom of the seventh by taking their second lead of the game.  With two out and nobody on, rightfielder Hill Alexander reached on a throwing error by Lake Monsters second baseman Yerdel Vargas.  Alexander would steal second, then score when McGowan flared a single into center to make the score 3-2.

However, the Vermont bats would come alive to take control of the game in the eighth as five consecutive batters reached and scored.  With one out, third baseman Jordan Diaz wrapped a single into right.  A walk and three wild pitches put runners at second and third with one away when shortstop Logan Davidson served a single into center to score both runners and give the Lake Monsters the lead.  After a double from rightfielder Marty Bechina moved Davidson to third, Rivas ripped a two-run triple to center to up the Vermont lead to three.  Rivas would cap the scoring by coming home on a passed ball from catcher Jordyn Muffley to make the final 7-3.

Hudson Valley had nine hits in the game, including two singles apiece by Hiott and third baseman Nick Sogard.  Hiott also scored a run.  Vermont, meanwhile, had 10 hits.  Selman went 2-4 with two doubles and a run.  Bechina chipped in by going 2-4 as well with a double and run scored.

Getting the win for Vermont was reliever Carlos Sanchez (2-0) who allowed two hits and an unearned run in 2.2 innings.  The loss fell to Hudson Valley relief man Chris Gau (1-4) after he allowed four earned runs on four hits in 1.1 frames.

Hudson Valley and Vermont will wrap-up their three-game set tomorrow in a 7:05 start. The Renegades will send right-hander Evan McKendry (2-1, 1.74 ERA) to the hill against southpaw Jack Cushing (2-2, 6.00 ERA) of the Lake Monsters.  Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com, in person at the Dutchess Stadium ticket window, or by calling the ticket office at 845-838-0094.