The Empire State Greys (7-19) have defeated the Florence Y’alls (16-11) 10-8 behind six home runs, two of which by John Mead.

In the top of the second inning, John Mead continued his recent power stretch hitting a solo home run off of Tommy Siemer (L, 0-1) for the first run of the ball game. Siemer entered the ballgame with no preparation other than some warmup pitches on the field. He replaced starter Jake McMahill halfway through the first at-bat of the inning due to injury.

Florence was the next to strike. With the bases loaded, Sam Plash hit a grand slam off of Greys starter Ryan Sandberg (W, 1-3) giving the Y’alls a 4-1 lead after the 3^rd. Plash’s home run was the only blemish on an otherwise fantastic outing by Ryan Sandberg. Sandberg did not allow another run throughout the rest of his outing.

Empire State’s bats were electric in the 5^th inning. Quentin Holmes got the rally going with a 1-out double and was immediately driven in by a Jordan Scott single. Back-to-back home runs by Josue Herrera and Josh Sears immediately followed Scott. Two batters later, John Mead went deep once again, giving the Greys a 6-4 lead.

Following his double in the 5^th, Quentin Holmes was responsible for the Greys’ offense in the 6^th. With Mike Gulino standing on third, Holmes delivered with a 2-run home run increasing the Greys lead to 8-4. The Y’alls did get one back in the bottom of the inning on an Andres Rios sac fly cutting the deficit to 8-5.

For the 3^rd straight inning, the Greys hit a home run. Steve Barkmakian joined the power surge with a 2-run home run of his own and extended the Greys’ lead to 10-5. Florence responded with a home run of their own in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, and two on, Marcos Castillo hit a 3-run home run making it a 10-8 ballgame.

That score held up the rest of the game due to the valiant effort of Tanner Propst (SV, 2). Tanner recorded the last 7 outs of the game for the Greys. Throughout his 2.1 innings of work, Propst did not allow a hit and struck out three.

Troy, NY—The Empire State Greys (6-12) defeated the Tri-City ValleyCats (9-10) 9-3 behind an efficient Andres Rodriguez start and team wide power surge. 

After two scoreless innings by both sides, it appeared offense would be hard to come by. Luis Atiles broke the scoreless tie in the third hitting a solo shot off of ValleyCats starter Garrison Bryant (L, 1-2), his first of the year.

The Atiles home run jolted the rest of the Greys offense, and they exploded the next three innings. In the 4^th Jordan Scott led off the inning with a solo shot to right field and was shortly followed by a Josh Sears 2-run shot to left. Another two runs were scored in the 5^th, Luis Atiles scored on a wild pitch, and Josue Herrera delivered with an RBI single. Luis Atiles delivered for the second time this evening with an RBI single in the 6^th, giving the Greys a 7-0 lead heading into the bottom of the inning.

Carson McCusker broke the scoreless tie in the bottom half of the inning. Swinging on a 3-0 pitch, McCusker hit a two-run shot to left center field. McCusker’s home run was the only blemish on a stellar Andres Rodriguez (W, 1-1) outing.

Rodriguez was brilliant and most importantly efficient. The righty threw seven innings on just 77 pitches. Even though Rodriguez was mainly pitching to contact, he still had swing and miss stuff and amassed three strikeouts in the process.

Empire State’s offense did not let up after the McCusker home run. In the top of the 7^th, Josue Herrera drove in his second RBI of the night with an RBI single. After a long Josh Sears single to deep right center, Cristopher Cespedes doubled down the right field line driving in Herrera and increased the Greys lead to 9-2.

In the 8^th, McCusker provided the remainder of the ValleyCats offense with an RBI double off of Nick Trabacchi making the score 9-3. That score would hold up the rest of the night. Tanner Propst took the mound in the 9^th and set the ‘Cats down 1-2-3.

The Grey’s will take on the ValleyCats in game two tomorrow evening at 7:05 and look to take the series.

Pomona, NY—The Empire State Greys (5-11) have defeated the New York Boulders (9-8) 6-3 behind a phenomenal start by Michael Barker and JR DiSarcina’s offensive explosion.

Empire State continued doing what it has done best this season, early offense. In the top of the 2^nd, JR DiSarcina started his offensive explosion. The shortstop opened the scoring with a 2 RBI double to left field off Boulders starter Ryan Munoz (L, 2-3). Two batters later, he came around to score on an Eric Jenkins single giving the Greys a 3-0 lead. 

Michael Barker (W, 1-2) set the tone for Greys on the bump. The righty went five innings, striking out four, allowed just one run, and earned his first win of the season. What made his outing even more impressive was that eleven Boulders reached base throughout his five innings of work, yet just one came across to score. The lone run-on Barker’s ledger came across on a Thomas Walraven double in the bottom of the 3^rd,cutting the Greys lead to 3-1. 

The Greys brought the lead back to three in the 5^thdue to a throwing error by the Boulders shortstop. Chris Kwitzer swiftly brought the Greys lead back down to two with a single to left field in the 7^th, making it a 4-2 ball game.

JR DiSarcina immediately answered back in the top of the 8^th. He led off the inning with a home run over the short porch in right field for his first home run of the season. DH Josh Sears extended the lead to 6-2, with a ground-rule double to right-center field. 

After Nick Trabacci allowed a run and got the second out in the bottom of the 8^th, the Greys turned to Tanner Propst in an attempt for a four-out save. Propst was up for the occasion not allowing a hit over the 1 1/3 innings, striking out two and earned his first save of the season.

The Greys will face off against the Boulders tomorrow night in the rubber match at 7 pm EST as they look to take the series.

Trois-Rivières, QC—The Empire State Greys (4-9) defeatedTrois-Rivières (5-9) 16-6 in game two of the three game set and got contributions from the whole team.

Once again it appeared as if the Aigles and Greys would be in a back-and-forth battle. Both clubs drove in two runs in the second to open up the scoring. A Mike Gulino fielder’s choice and Steve Barkamkian single drove in the first two runs for Empire State, however, Trois-Rivières immediately responded with a Canice Ejoh 2-run homer off of Greys starter Zach Gettys in the bottom half of the inning.

After both clubs scored a run in the third, the Greys turned on the gas in the fourth and fifth. Zak Whalin led off the fourth inning with a solo shot off of Sam Pollquin (L, 0-2) to give the Greys the lead in which they wouldn’t let up. Two batters later, Mike Gulino followed up his homerun from last night with a 2-run blast. In the fifth, John Mead delivered a 3-run home run giving the Greys a 10-3 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.

The middle innings were highlighted by Greys relief pitcherWilber Perez (W, 2-0). Coming off earning the save last night, Perez was excellent throwing the sixth and seventh innings. Over the course of the two innings, Wilber struck out three and allowed just one hit and one walk.

Empire State rallied once again, scoring six runs across the seventh and eighth innings. Trois-Rivières attempted a comeback in the eighth, scoring two on two-out Nate Scantlin triple that narrowed the deficit to 16-6. Following the triple, the Aigles offense could not get anything going. Tanner Propst shut the door in the ninth throwing a 1-2-3 inning.

An additional story for the Greys tonight comes from Zach Gettys. Gettys, who typically works in relief for the Greys, was not intended to start tonight’s game. Down two starters and two relievers, the Greys needed somebody to step up and Zach rose to the occasion. He kept the club in the game by throwing a strong four innings and allowed just three runs in the unfamiliar role. 

Ryan Sandberg will take the bump for the Greys at 1:05 tomorrow afternoon and will look to sweep the series in Trois-Rivières.

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 centerfield 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 after Mike Gulino took an inside pitch and sent it to the lounge area in left field for a solo shot for the Greys. But, 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 the Greys 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 was able to get the job done earning his first save of the season and got 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.

Joliet, IL – The Empire State Greys (2-7) left Joliet with a great series performance by their staff. Andres Rodriguez went 6 innings striking out 8 and was followed by another 6 inning performance from Alejandro Arteaga who set a single game franchise record by striking out 10 batters in a game.

Arteaga, who is one of the teams veteran players, was dominant in his second start of the season. He allowed just 2 runs on 5 hits while walking 2. Although the team had a couple of defensive miscues, Arteaga’s performance goes down as one of the best in teams short history.

The offense struggled to put up runs for Arteaga and for the most part the entire series. Even with Arteaga’s quality start, he would be credited with his first loss of the season.

The Greys travel to Quebec City to take on the Capitales where the team looks to get out of its funk and back into the mix.

Watch all Greys games live on Flosports.tv and stay up to date with player stats, results, standings and more right here on empirestategreys.com

Article by Greys Media

Avon, OH— The Empire State Greys offense and dominant bullpen led the team to a come from behind 11-8 victory.

After scoring at least 7 runs in every game of their first series, Empire State’s offense has continued its hot start with an 11 spot today. Trailing 6-3 in the 6th, the Greys’ offense showed its prowess. Eric Callahan got the team going with an RBI single and was shortly followed by Quinton Holmes driving in a run with a hit-by-pitch. Cristopher Cespedes immediately followed Holmes delivering the biggest hit of the game. Cespedes cleared the bases with a hard hit double and gave the Greys a 8-6 lead which they wouldn’t relinquish.

The Greys bullpen had a dominant showing once again. Miguel Rondon entered the game to start the 5th and threw two shutout innings and struck out three. Rondon’s outing was rewarded by earning his first win of the season. Nick Trabacchi dominated out of the pen as well. Throwing the 7th and 8th, Trabacchi did not allow a hit and struck out two. Tanner Propst was given the ninth and was able to work out of trouble to secure the win for the Greys.

Empire State will look to take the series tomorrow at 11:05 am against the Lake Erie Crushers.

Article by Jacob Weber

Ottawa, On—The Empire State Greys have won their first game of the season due to the offensive prowess of Josh Sears and a dominant performance by the pitching staff.

Offensively, the top of the lineup for the Greys was explosive once again. Josh Sears got the offense going in the first by sending a fastball over the fence for a 3-run home run. In the fifth Sears delivered again. Hitting a ball deep down the right field line, Sears delivered a 2 RBI double and was immediately driven in by a Matt Turner single to center field. After a pair of 3 run innings the Greys held a 6-1 lead which they wouldn’t relinquish.

Empire State received a dominating performance from its pitching staff. Michael Barker set the tone for the Greys going 4 ⅓ allowing just one run on 2 hits and striking out 5. Wilber Perez entered in relief in the fifth, and earned the win, for the Greys. He went 1 ⅔ innings giving up just one hit and a walk striking out two. Carson Ferry and Nick Trabscchi dominated the seventh and eighth putting the team in good position to secure the win

After scoring an insurance run in the top of the ninth, Tanner Propst shut the door. The southpaw side-armer set down the Titans 1-2-3, striking out two, to end the game. Empire State won the game with a final score of 7-1 and secured their first win of the season.

The Greys will take on the Titans in the rubber match tomorrow afternoon at 1pm EST.

Ottawa, On –The Empire State Greys have kicked off 2023 against the Ottawa Titans and received an outstanding performance from Center Fielder Eric Jenkins and Cristopher Cespedes.

Empire State’s offense looked promising in the early innings. Eric Jenkins led off the game with a walk and was followed immediately by Quentin Holmes lacing a hard-hit single to right field for the club’s first hit of the season. The Greys had another chance with two runners on in the second after Steve Barmakian and JR DiSarcina were hit by pitches in back-to-back at-bats. With two outs, Mike Gulino capitalized on this by hitting the ball over the shortstop’s outstretched glove to drive in the team’s first run of the season. Eric Jenkins immediately followed by smoking a line drive to deep right field for a go-ahead 2 RBI double.

The Grey’s offense also showed what it’s capable of in the later innings. Eric Jenkins showed off his power in the seventh by hitting a deep home run to straightaway center field. In the ninth, first baseman Cristopher Cespedes smashed a 3-run shot to left field.

Jenkins ended the day going 3/4 with a HR, 2B, BB, and 3 RBI. He will look to continue to his hot start to the season in game two, tomorrow night at 6 pm EST versus Ottawa.

Article by Jacob Weber

​Ryan Sandberg will be taking the bump on May 12^th as the Greys take on the Ottawa Titans to begin the season.

Sandberg comes to the Greys after a successful 2022 season. Sandberg finished his collegiate career at Wilmington University where in his senior season pitched in and started 13 games and pitched to a 3.35 ERA, 1.154 WHIP, and struck out 110 batters.

Following his graduation, Sandberg pitched in the MLB Draft League for the Trenton Thunder and the Atlantic College Baseball League for the East Coast Sandhogs.

The Greys will look for Ryan to continue to build off his success from the previous season and be a big part of the club’s pitching core in 2023.

Article by Jacob Weber