CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, April 14, 2018
Hudson Valley Community College baseball team (7-5) had an historic day after sweeping Columbia-Greene to extend its win streak to four straight this afternoon at Joe Bruno Stadium.
Game One: Hudson Valley 18, Columbia-Greene 1 (5 Innings)
The Vikings offense exploded for nine runs in the first inning with a lot of help from the Columbia-Greene pitchers as Hudson Valley tallied seven walks, including four hit batters in the opening frame. The inning was highlighted by home runs from Nick Thomas (Scotia/Scotia-Glenville) and Jackson Wenstrom (Mandan, N.D./Mandan). Thomas smashed a grand slam home run and Wenstrom later connected on a pitch for a three-run home run over the right field fence and literally out of the park as the ball landed on the softball field fencing in deep right field.
Wenstrom continues to swing a hot bat for the Vikings after finishing game one with two home runs, seven RBIs and four runs scored. Wenstrom is currently hitting .472 with 17 hits, 11 RBIs and slugging .833 this season.
Thomas finished the game with two hits and four RBIs following his RBI single in the third inning. The Vikings had six players score at least two or more runs. Zack Hyland (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) and Derek Miller (Westernville/Rome Free Academy) each scored three times and Jonathan Montesanti (Niskayuna/Colonie) scored twice and drove in two runs on a bases-loaded single in the fourth inning.
On the mound, sophomore Nicholas Zuba (East Greenbush/Columbia) earned his first win of the 2018 season after going four complete innings and allowed only one run on four hits with six strikeouts. Ryan Shumway (Stephentown/Berlin) closed the door on the Twins in the fifth inning with two strikeouts.
Game Two: Hudson Valley 11, Columbia-Greene 0 (5 Innings)
To secure the sweep, the Vikings sent freshman pitcher Tim Cramer (Colonie/Colonie) to the mound in game two. Cramer answered the call and pitched a perfect game in the mercy-ruled game with the Vikings leading 11-0 as the game headed to the home half of the fifth inning.
In his first career start, Cramer faced 15 batters and kept the Twins off balance all game as they managed to put the ball in play only six times. Cramer struck out a Vikings season-high nine batters in his five complete innings.
Offensively, the Vikings were led by Miller's three hits for two RBIs and two runs scored. Montesanti added three RBIs on two hits, including a bases clearing triple down the right field line.
Brendan Haverty (Troy/La Salle) scored two runs and collected two hits, including a triple in the third inning.
On-Deck:
The Vikings rubber-match series at Columbia-Greene tomorrow, April 15 has been cancelled due to the expectation of rain and sleet in the Hudson Valley region. Hudson Valley returns to Joe Bruno Stadium this Tuesday, April 17 when they welcome Adirondack for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.