Volleyball

ValleyCats launch three homers, shutout Renegades 10-0

Playing arguably their most complete game of the season, the Tri-City ValleyCats (8-9) defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades (6-11) Sunday night, 10-0 at Dutchess Stadium in front of a crowd of 4,001.

Hector Perez (2-0) paved the way for the ‘Cats, earning his second win of the season. In 5.2 scoreless innings, Perez struck out six batters, and allowed only three base runners, and lowered his ERA to 0.52. Enrique Chavez came on for Perez in the sixth, and struck out two over the final 3.2 innings.

Stephen Wrenn (7), Daz Cameron (2) and Ryne Birk (1) all homered for the ValleyCats, who reached the double-digit mark for the fourth time this season. Every player who came to the plate for Tri-City registered a hit, and they scored in all but three frames.

First baseman Taylor Jones added two RBI doubles, scoring a run and adding two RBI.

It was a rough day on the hill for the Renegades. Spencer Moran (1-1) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits in 3.2 innings. Spencer Jones came into relieve Moran, but allowed four runs on five hits in 2.1 innings.

Benches and bullpens cleared in the bottom of the eighth inning when Miguel Hernandez slid into SS Alex DeGoti, attempting to break up a double play. Joseph Astacio, who hit the ground ball, was called out after it was ruled Hernandez interfered with the play.

Tri-City’s defense helped out the pitching, and didn’t commit an error all night. Randy Cesar made a slick backhanded grab at third base in the early going, nabbing Hernandez at first base. Daz Cameron made a spectacular diving catch in centerfield in the bottom of the 9th, and Ryne Birk had a diving stop at second in the same inning.

The ValleyCats host the State College Spikes for a three game series beginning tomorrowJuly 4, with first pitch set for 6:30 pm at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.