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The Hudson Valley Renegades defeated the Jamestown Jammers 5-2 at Dutchess Stadium on Tuesday, Aug. 12, coming back from an early two-run deficit behind solid pitching and timely hitting.
The Jammers came into the night, the first matchup in a three-game series, with the best record in the New York-Penn League at 33-18. They also lead the league in several hitting categories, a statistic Renegades players were definitely aware of.
“The Jammers, they lead a lot of categories. We knew it would be a good match; we gave what we can,” said Renegades’ pitcher Neil Schenk, who earned a save in the game during a scoreless inning of work.
Renagades’ starter Chris Andujar and reliever Marquis Fleming added solid pitching during the game as well. Fleming was extremely effective in relief, tossing three innings and giving up only one hit and a walk. Fleming then handed the ball to Schenk, who picked up his first save of the season.
The Jammers opened the scoring in the top of the second, after Jeremy Synan tripled and scored on a groundout by Ben Lasater. Right fielder Justin Bass then drove in a run on a double to the gap in right, making it 2-0.
The Renegades cut the lead in half and got on the board against Jamestown righty Tommy Koehler in the bottom of the third, after second baseman Mike Ross scored on infielder Anthony Scelfo’s RBI single to left field.
“I have faith in my team,” said Ross, following the game. “It’s just teamwork.”
The Renegades tied the score in the next inning, after left fielder Mike McKenna drove Jake Jefferies in from second with a single to left field.
The Jammers entered the game leading the league in team batting average and home runs, but Andujar stopped them over his five innings of play. Andujar gave up two runs on five hits and struck out five, keeping the Renegades in the game. Fleming replaced Andujar in the sixth.
Koehler was just as effective for Jamestown, pitching five innings, giving up eight hits, while striking out six.
The Renegades saw Koehler sit, and scored the go-ahead run off of reliever Andy Loomis in the sixth inning. Mike McKenna reached on an error and was able to score on Robi Estrada’s RBI single to right.
The Renegades extended their lead in the seventh inning after Kyeong Kang drove in Jason Corder from third on a fly to centerfield. Ross then drove in Jefferies on a base hit, making it 5-2 Renegades.
Scelfo and Ross led the way offensively and finished the night with two hits and an RBI each. Jason Corder also had two hits, raising his team-high batting average to .347.
The Renegades played twice more against Jamestown this week, after the Beat’s deadline, before opening a three-game series with the Oneonta Tigers on Aug. 15 at Dutchess Stadium with the game time set for 7:05 p.m.
