Troy, NY—The Empire State Greys (10-35) have defeated the Tri-City ValleyCats (27-19) 7-2 behind a great all-around team victory.
In the top of the 3rd inning, the Greys were the first to strike. Leading off the top of the frame Zac Whalin singled and was immediately followed by a John Mead double down the right-field line. With runners on second and third with no one out, Eric Jenkins drove in the first run of the game with a fielder’s choice off of ‘Cats starter Rafi Vazquez (L, 3-3). Right after Jenkins’ RBI, Jaylen Smith got in on the action with a 2-run shot to deep left field. Two batters later, Josh Sears capped off the inning with an opposite-field blast to give Empire State a 4-0 lead.
Tri-City cut the deficit to 4-1 in the bottom of the 4th. Robbie Merced hit a sharp one-hopper past a diving Manny Garcia to drive in Jaxon Hallmark from first base. This run was the only blemish on a great Michael Barker (W, 3-4) start. The Empire State southpaw’s outing was cut short due to rain, but went 5 innings, allowed just 1 run on 4 hits, and struck out 5.
Following the rain delay and firework break, the Greys got the run back in the 7th. Quentin Holmes drove a deep line drive over the centerfielder’s head to score Eric Jenkins and increase the lead to 5-1.
The ValleyCats threatened to come back once again in the bottom of the 8th. A fog aided double by Pavin Parks started the ValleyCats rally. Aaron Altherr drove in Parks with a double down the right-field line to cut the deficit to 5-2.
Empire State quickly struck back in the top of the 9th for much-needed insurance runs. With the bases loaded and two outs, Manny Garcia delivered. Garcia hit a double past the diving ValleyCats left fielder to increase the lead to 7-2.
Tanner Propst entered the game for the Greys to pitch the bottom of the 9th. Propst was great, facing just one batter over the minimum, and secured the Greys’ 10th win of the season.
Clarke Davenport and the Empire State Greys will look to take the series in Troy tomorrow night at 6:30 EST.
