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Renegades Start Homestand With Win Over Cyclones

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY—The Hudson Valley Renegades got solid production at the turn of their lineup, and a strong performance from their bullpen in a 3-2 win over the Brooklyn Cyclones Monday night in front of 3,327 fans at Dutchess Stadium.  The contest kicked off a five-game in six-day homestand for the Renegades.

Hudson Valley used A-B-C baseball to get on the board in the first.  Leadoff hitter Greg Jones grounded a single into right before stealing second.  After moving to third on a groundout, Jones scored when rightfielder Beau Brundage grounded to second for his first professional RBI.

Jones would use his lightning speed again to double-up the lead in the third.  With one out, the designated hitter grounded another single to right.  Centerfielder Garrett Hiott stood in next and rifled a double down the leftfield line.  Jones motored around from first and Hudson Valley owned a 2-0 lead.

Brooklyn had a couple of chances to get on the board but came up empty.  In the third, they put runners at first and second with one out, however Hudson Valley starter Daiveyon Whittle got a popup and line out to end the threat.  In the fourth, the Cyclones loaded the bases with two out, but Whittle got another pop out to short from Brooklyn catcher Jake Ortega to end the inning.

The Renegades added a run in the fourth.  With two out and nobody on base, Cyclones starter Jaison Vilera yielded back-to-back walks.  Shortstop Nick Sogard come to the plate next and lined a single to center to score the lead runner from second and give the Renegades a 3-0 lead.

Brooklyn came back by scoring two unearned runs in the fifth.  Centerfielder Jake Mangum started the inning by striking out on a pitch in the dirt.  Hudson Valley catcher Jordyn Muffley threw to first to try and complete the putout, but his throw was wide of the bag and Mangum reached on the throwing error.  After Mangum moved to second on a groundout, third baseman Sam Haggerty brought him home on a resounding double to center.  Two batters later, second baseman Luke Ritter lined a two-out RBI single to center to score Haggerty and bring the Cyclones to within one.

However, that was as close as Brooklyn got.  Following Ritter’s single, the Renegades went to their bullpen and reliever Joe LaSorsa shined getting designated hitter Zach Ashford to fly to left to end the inning.  That was the start of a 3.1 inning shutout performance by the southpaw, which carried Hudson Valley through the eighth.  After that, closer Shay Smiddy tossed a scoreless ninth in his professional debut for the save.  The Cyclones had only two more baserunners once LaSorsa entered the game.  The Katonah, NY native allowed only one hit and got the win to move to 2-0.

The loss fell to Valeria (1-2) for Brooklyn after he allowed three runs on six hits over six innings.  He righty also walked three and struck out one. Whittle was also strong in his start for Hudson Valley as he allowed two unearned runs on five hits in 4.2 innings, coming within one out of qualifying for the win.

Hudson Valley collected seven hits in the game, including two hits apiece from their 9-1-2 hitters Sogard, Jones and Hiott.  Sogard went 2-3 with two singles and an RBI.  Jones singled twice, scored twice and stole a base, while Hiott doubled and drove in a run. 

The Renegades continue their three-game set against the Cyclones tomorrow in a 7:05 start.  Hudson Valley will send right-hander Zack Trageton (2-1, 2.40 ERA) to the hill against fellow righty Daison Acosta (0-0, 1.35 ERA) for Brooklyn.  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.