CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Hudson Valley Community College baseball team (5-5) opened conference play with a doubleheader sweep over Mohawk Valley at Joe Bruno Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Game One: Hudson Valley 3, Mohawk Valley 2

The Vikings pitching staff helped keep the Mohawk Valley offense at bay as James Rubino (North Greenbush/La Salle) (W, 2-1) pitched a complete five innings and allowed two runs while striking out six for his second win of the season.

Last week's NJCAA Region 3 Player of the Week, Jackson Wenstrom (Mandan, N.D./Mandan) continued to swing a hot bat and nearly hit for the cycle, collecting a single, double and triple, and scored a pair of runs for the Vikings.

Jonathan Montesanti (Niskayuna/Colonie) also collected two hits and drove in two runs in three at-bats.

Hudson Valley's bullpen relieved Rubino in the sixth and shutdown Mohawk Valley in the final four innings to preserve the win. Joe Duncan (Valley Falls/Hoosic Valley) closed the door on the Hawks in the seventh to earn his second save of the season.

Game Two: Hudson Valley 7, Mohawk Valley 4

To secure the sweep, the Vikings had to win in comeback fashion in game two. Heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Vikings trailed Mohawk Valley 4-2 and had only managed to collect two hits through the first three innings.

The Vikings offense finally broke through in the home fourth, scoring four runs while taking advantage of four walks to start the inning. Hudson Valley responded with back-to-back singles by Wenstrom and Montesanti to ultimately take over the game and secure the sweep.

Wenstrom collected two hits and scored one run and Nick Hansen (Troy/La Salle) went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk for Hudson Valley, joining Wenstrom as the only two Vikings to record a multi-hit game.

On the mound, Jacob LaFerriere (Troy/La Salle) struggled early but found his groove in the middle innings, shutting down the Hawks offense to allow for the Vikings to complete the comeback win. LaFerriere tossed five complete innings and gave up four runs on five hits, including the two walks in the first inning. Dylan Sheely (Alplaus/Niskayuna) had a clean sixth inning, successfully setting up for Duncan to close out the seventh for his second save of the day and third of the season.

On-Deck:

 The Vikings are back in action on Thursday, April 12 as they are scheduled to travel to Mohawk Valley for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.