GREYS BEAT AIGLES WITH LATE HEROICS

Trois-Rivières, QC—The Empire State Greys (3-9) traveled to Trois-Rivières (5-8) and opened the series with a dramatic 8-7 victory.

Empire State started the game off hot offensively taking a 3-0 lead in the first. The first three Greys singled to start the game including a Cristopher Cespedes RBI single to center field to drive in Eric Jenkins. Josh Sears and Zack Whalin added offense in the following at-bats with a sacrifice fly and RBI single respectively.

The Aigles answered back in the second for three of their own and set the tone for a back-and-forth affair. Sadler Goodwin hit a sac fly to get their offense going and Nate Scantlin tied up the game with a 2 RBI single.

Over the course of the middle innings the two clubs scraped together different rallies resulting in a 5-5 tie heading into the bottom of the seventh. With runners on first and second, Steve Brown delivered for the Aigles with a 2 RBI double giving them a 7-5 lead.

After scratching one back in the eighth, the Greys trailed 7-6 heading into the ninth. With runners on first and second, Josh Sears tied the game with a hard-hit double. The next two Greys struck out and it appeared as if they would strand the two runners in scoring position with nobody out. JR DiSarcina would not let that happen as he roped a single off Jesen Therrien (L) to drive in the go-ahead run giving Empire State an 8-7 lead.

Wilber Perez entered the game for the Greys in the ninth to close it out. Working around a pair of walks, Perez got the job done, earning his first save of the season and getting Tanner Propst his first win of the season in the process.

The Greys will square up against the Aigles tomorrow night at 6:05 EST in game two of the three-game set.

WASHINGTON, PA - The Tri-City ValleyCats (6-7) traveled to Wild Things Park in Washington, PA on Friday to kickstart their final regular season series against the Washington Wild Things (6-7). The ValleyCats looked to bounce back from a series loss to the Windy City ThunderBolts earlier in the week, while the Wild Things looked to snap a five-game skid of their own in Friday's contest. The 'Cats sent sidearmer Rafi Vazquez to the hill, fresh off of a complete game shutout of these very same Wild Things in last Sunday's doubleheader at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.

The 'Cats came out swinging, leading off the game with back-to-back singles off of the bats of Josh Broughton and Jaxon Hallmark. Broughton would score later in the inning thanks to a double by first baseman Trey Hair. After reaching on a fielder's choice earlier in the frame, Carson McCusker would score on a passed ball (unearned) to give Tri-City an early two-run advantage.

In the top of the fourth frame, the 'Cats would strike again thanks to a Carson McCusker RBI single. Josh Broughton and Pavin Parks would both score on the line drive to left, making it a four-to-nothing advantage for the 'Cats, and giving McCusker his team-leading tenth and eleventh RBI of the season.

Rafi Vazquez's scoreless streak against the Wild Things would end at ten-and-two-thirds innings after Washington right fielder Anthony Brocato smashed a two-out triple in the bottom of the fourth, scoring first baseman Andrew Czech.

The 'Cats would immediately respond in the top of the fifth thanks to a leadoff solo shot to deep left field off of the bat of designated hitter Aaron Altherr, his first home run in a ValleyCats uniform. In his next at-bat, Altherr would slap an RBI single down the right field line in the top of the sixth to make it a six-to-two ballgame in favor of the 'Cats.

In the bottom of the sixth frame, Anthony Brocato would launch a solo shot to left, to cut the Wild Things' deficit to three. Rafi Vazquez's day would end with the right-hander in line for a victory. The rookie's final line in Friday's contest was: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, W.

After a strong inning from recent acquisition right-handed pitcher Elliott Carney, Tri-City would turn to Greg Veliz in the bottom of the eighth. Veliz surrendered a run on a solo home run from left fielder Tristan Peterson in one inning of work.

In the ninth, Pete Incaviglia turned to his closer, left-handed pitcher Reymin Guduan to shut the door on the Wild Things. After two quick outs, Wild Things shortstop Nick Gotta would slap a single through the left side, bringing the tying run to the plate in the form of second baseman Abraham Sequera. Sequera would work a full count against the former MLB southpaw, but Guduan would bury his thirteenth pitch of the inning and night in the dirt, drawing a swing from Sequera, and securing the win for Tri-City.

Carson McCusker earned New York Army National Guard Player of the Game honors for the first-time this season after recording his seventh multi-hit game of the young season, going 3-for-5, scoring twice, driving in two, and smashing a double off of the 405 sign in straight away centerfield.

SCHAUMBURG, IL — The Schaumburg Boomers kicked off Memorial Day weekend with a thrilling 5-4 victory over the New York Boulders before over 5,000 fans in the first ever meeting between the two teams at Wintrust Field. The team had played just three games against each other, all in New York last season.

New York opened the scoring with a single run in the top of the second. The Boomers tied the game in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single from Chase Dawson. The visitors made the score 3-1 in the top of the third with a two-run double from Thomas Walraven. Schaumburg scored single runs in the fourth and fifth to tie the game again. Blake Berry was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the fourth and Blake Grant-Parks rolled an RBI groundout in the fifth. The Boomers were hit by a pitch five times in the contest.

New York jumped ahead again with a single run in the sixth but stranded a pair on base. Gaige Howard evened the game in the bottom of the inning with a sacrifice fly and the winning run scored on a popup off the bat of Kyle Fitzgerald that was lost in the twilight. Both teams had plenty of opportunities stranding 12 apiece.

Luis Perez approached 130 pitches in working 7.2 innings but struck out nine and earned his second win of the season. Dylan Stutsman recorded the final four outs for his first professional save, striking out a pair. The pitching staff fanned 11 in their fourth game with double-digit strikeouts this year.

Berry was on base four time with two hits, a run, an RBI and was hit by a pitch twice. Brett Milazzo reached three times and posted a pair of hits. Dawson was also on base three times and drove home a run while logging two hits. Travis Holt also recorded two hits as both teams notched 11.

The 2023 home schedule is just underway and the Boomers are in the midst of an eight-game homestand at Wintrust Field that continues on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. with a Memorial Day weekend matinee. Saturday will be a Bark in the Park presented by Golf Rose Animal Hospital. RHP Miguel Reyes (1-0, 2.45) is scheduled to take the ball for the Boomers against RHP Garrett Cooper (0-0, 0.00).

CRESTWOOD, IL – Taylor Sugg allowed just one run on five hits over eight innings as the ThunderBolts captured the opener of a three-game series from the Florence Y'alls 2-1 at Ozinga Field Friday night.

Sugg was matched pitch for pitch early in the game by Florence starter Bobby Braband as both teams put zeroes on the board for the first five frames.

During the early pitchers' duel, the ThunderBolts (6-7) threatened once, when Micah Yonamine doubled in the second inning but was stranded at third. Florence (7-6) didn't have their first hit until the fourth inning and likewise put only one man in scoring position through the first five innings.

The Y'alls broke through for the first time in the top of the sixth when former ThunderBolt Brian Fuentes hit a leadoff double and scored on a Ray Zuberer base hit.

The Bolts were able to answer with their only offensive frame in the bottom of the sixth. Jake Boone doubled and tied the game when he scored on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, a Peyton Isaacson sacrifice fly gave the ThunderBolts the lead.

Sugg (1-0) dominated after allowing his lone run. He ended the game with six strikeouts in his longest career outing. Braband (0-2) was a tough-luck loser, allowing two runs in 5.2 innings. Daiveyon Whittle pitched a perfect ninth inning for his second save.

The ThunderBolts continue their seven-game home stand on Saturday as they try to take their second straight from the Florence Y'alls. Kenny Mathews (0-1, 7.00) is expected to make the start for the ThunderBolts against Florence's Nate Florence (1-0, 0.00). It is Star Wars Night at Ozinga Field and the game will be followed by a fireworks show.

Sauget, IL (May 26, 2023) – The Gateway Grizzlies scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, and five runs in their first two turns at bat on Friday night at Grizzlies Ballpark, leading the whole way in a 13-5 victory over the Joliet Slammers, the team's third consecutive win. 

It was Peter Zimmermann that got the scoring started with a towering, three-run home run in the bottom of the first off Joliet starter Turner Larkins (1-2), putting the home team ahead 3-0. In the second inning, after the Slammers got one run back to make it 3-1, back-to-back RBI hits by Mark Vierling and Gabe Holt expanded the lead to 5-1.  

Both teams settled in from there, with Larkins lasting six innings for the Slammers while Nate Garkow (2-1) tossed a pair of shutout frames for Gateway, striking out five and walking none. Joliet would creep closer on an RBI single by Will Salas in the fifth inning off Zac Treece, then a solo home run from G.J. Hill in the seventh off Alec Whaley to make it a 5-3 ballgame. 

But after Larkins departed, the Grizzlies pounded the Slammers' bullpen in the seventh to the tune of six runs, including RBI hits by Holt, Zimmermann, and Clint Freeman, to expand the lead again out to 11-3. Both teams then scored a pair of runs in the eighth to complete the scoring, with the Grizzlies doing so on a two-run homer by Eric Rivera, his first dinger of the season. 

It was the second game in a row that Gateway had 14 hits as a team, with Holt and D.J. Stewart both collecting three-hit days at the plate, joined in the multi-hit club by Rivera, Vierling, and Zimmermann. Each of the top four batters in the Grizzlies' lineup also scored multiple runs and drove in multiple runs in the team-wide effort to claim the series opener. 

The Grizzlies will look to make it four wins in a row and another series victory when they face the Slammers on Saturday, May 27, at 6:45 p.m. Joey Gonzalez will start on the mound for Gateway against Joliet left-hander Tyler Jay.

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ - The Lake Erie Crushers fell in another barnburner tonight versus the Sussex County Miners by a final score of 3-2. The Crushers (7-6) have dropped their last three out of four contests, and good pitching from the East Division leading Miners (9-3) limited the manufacturing of Lake Erie runs. 

The Miners got ahead early after planting a run on the scoreboard during the second inning. It was a solo shot off the bat of Jason Agresti to lead off the frame, giving the Miners a 1-0 lead.

Yasel Santana started tonight for the Crushers, and had another quality performance on the hill. His surrendered home run was just one of two mistakes on the night. The right-hander finished his performance going 6.0 innings on just two runs while giving up four hits and one walk. He also struck out four.

The Crushers fired back after falling behind. In the top of the third inning, John Tuccillo hit a one-out single, Sean Cheely doubled in the next at-bat, and Todd Isaacs Jr. delivered on a sacrifice fly to the outfield which scored a run. 

In the fourth inning, Lake Erie took their first and only lead of the night. All the damage came with two outs. A Sicnarf Loopstok base hit followed by a Kenen Irizarry walk put runners at first and second base. Jiandido Tromp got a pitch he liked and laced a single into the outfield to score Tromp, making it 2-1.

In the fifth frame, the Miners led off with a triple from Jawuan Harris, followed by an RBI single from Juan Santana. With the score even at two, Santana was moved over by a balk, putting another runner in scoring position.

The Crushers starter had a nice rebound the following three batters. Getting them all out while holding the runner from crossing the plate.

Perry Bewley came out of the pen in the seventh inning and pitched a scoreless frame. In the eighth, Alexis Rivero gave up back-to-back two-out walks. After he balked Will Zimmerman to third, Rivero later balked again for the second time in the inning to score the runner, giving Sussex County the lead.

That would be all the Miners needed, as they shut down the Crushers in the ninth to secure the win in the opening game of the series.

The Crushers were held to just four hits, their lowest margin of the season. It was a quiet night for the bats, as they struck out eight times and had just one extra-base hit.

Lake Erie will be back on the grindstone tomorrow for the middle contest of a three-game set versus Sussex County. The first pitch is at 6:05 PM ET.

Paterson, NJ - The Ottawa Titans (4-9) dropped their third straight game on Friday, falling 4-2 to the New Jersey Jackals (6-6) at Hinchliffe Stadium.

Josh Rehwaldt's two-run homer the opposite way to left gave the Jackals an early 2-0 in the bottom half of the first. James Nelson added to the advantage with a solo blast, making it 3-0 in the third.

The Titans would get on the board in the top of the fourth, as Jason Dicochea took Jackals starter Dylan Castaneda (win, 1-1) over the wall in right-centre with a solo shot to cut the deficit to 3-1. 

Keon Barnum would restore the three-run lead with an RBI single in the fifth.

Damon Casetta-Stubbs (loss, 0-2) posted a strong showing in his second start of the season, keeping the Titans in the game. The right-hander worked five and two-thirds, allowing four runs, on eight hits, walking four, and fanning a season-high seven.

After Jackie Urbaez left the game in the fifth with injury, Daniel Molinari would substitute in and rope a triple off the wall in right with one out in the sixth. Jacob Talamante would make it a two-run game with an RBI ground out.

Chris Burica and Taylor Lepard would once again hold down the opposition, working two and two-thirds of shutout baseball.

In the eighth, Cody Whitten would walk the bottom two hitters in the Titans' lineup, setting up a glorious opportunity. After struggling with command early on, Whitten would get Daniel Molinari to bounce into a double play and strikeout Jacob Talamante to get out of the frame.

AJ Wright would get the ninth started with a double off Matt Vogel (save, 1), who then allowed a single to Jason Dicochea. The Titans would eventually get two runners in scoring position after a Dicochea stolen bag with nobody out. Threatening with the tying run on, Vogel would lock things down by striking out Gabe Snyder, Jamey Smart, and Taylor Wright to end the game.

In the loss, Jason Dicochea went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and a stolen base. The Redondo Beach, California product also extends his on-base streak to nine straight games.