Tigers Score 3 In The 9th To Defeat ValleyCats

The Tri-City ValleyCats have been able to close the gap in the division between them and the Connecticut Tigers, winning the first 2 games of a three game series at ‘The Joe.’ They were looking for their second series sweep in 9 games on Saturday night.

After an early run to put the Tigers up 1-0, the ValleyCats offense started to get to work. Chuckie Robinson and Alex DeGoti had RBI hits to put the ‘Cats in front in the 2nd. DeGoti was able to add another RBI on a sacrifice fly in the 4th to make it 3-1 Tri-City.

After 4 solid innings from ValleyCats starter Ryan Hartman, Dustin Hunt came in and did his part. Hunt went three strong innings without giving up a hit. He did run into a bases loaded, 1 out jam in the 8th inning. But Sean Stutzman was able to come in and get the final 2 outs to keep it a 3-1 ballgame.

Stutzman would return in the 9th inning to close it out, but he made things interesting. After getting one out and giving up a hit, Stutzman failed to find the plate. He walked 2 batters and put himself in the same position as the last inning with the bases loaded and 1 out.

Cole Bauml hit a sharp grounder down the 1st base line, just out of the reach of ValleyCats first baseman Taylor Jones. The ball hit 1st base and popped into right field. Scoring 2 runners easily. The Tigers took a risk and waved the go-ahead run home. And it would’ve been a close play, but right fielder Ronnie Dawson couldn’t field the ball cleanly. The run would score to put the Tigers in front 4-3. It was scored as an E9 on Dawson and 2 RBI’s for Bauml.

Rain started to come down in the bottom half of the 9th. But the ‘Cats went down 1-2-3 before play was suspended. Making the game official.

Mark Ecker improved to 2-0 for the Tigers with the win, while Stutzman took the loss and the blown save for Tri-City. And instead of being just 1 game behind the Tigers in the division race, the lead has been widened to 3.

But for the ‘Cats, there’s no time to hang their heads. They return tomorrow at home for another three game series against Batavia. Definitely a good test to see if these young guys can put their losses behind them quickly.