Cyclones 7
Hudson Valley 5
June 19 at MCU Park
The streaking Cyclones continued their strong start to the season Tuesday night when they topped the Renegades for the second night in a row and moved to 4–1 on the season.
The Cyclones took the lead in the second when Oliver “The Programmer” Pascual singled to drive in David Miranda and make it 1–0.
Hudson Valley shot back in the fifth and took the lead. Michael Smith’s sacrifice fly to deep right field scored Marvin Malone to tie it at one before shortstop Ford Proctor singled to center, driving in Erik Ostberg to make it 2–1.
The Clones tied it back up in the bottom of the frame when Wagner Lagrange drove in Jose Brizuela, who had been walked, with a double to center.
But Hudson Valley regained the lead in the sixth when Trey Hair doubled to left, moved to third when Jacson McGowan reached on a botched fielder’s choice, and scored on a second fielder’s choice off the bat of Chris Betts, who reached first on the play. Betts later scored on a Garrett Giovannelli single, putting the Renegades up 4–2.
The Cyclones answered with a run in the sixth when Alabama native Chandler Avant drove in David Miranda.
Brizuela brought down the house at MCU in the seventh when he shot a two-run homer into the bleachers to put Brooklyn’s Boys of Summer back in front at 5–4.
But in the top of the eighth, the Renegades loaded the bases and Cyclones reliever Yeudy Colon walked in the tying run.
The Clones answered again later that inning when Pascual singled to drive in Avant, who had singled and stolen second. Pascual was then driven in by Carlos Sanchez with a single to right field to cement the Cyclones lead at 7–5.
“I think we’re just clicking as a whole,” said Brizuela after the game. “Everything’s going right and we’re picking each other up. That’s the most important part of this team right now.”
The Clones hope to do everything right tonight at 7 pm when they face the Renegades again at MCU to try for the sweep.
