CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, April 22, 2018

Hudson Valley Community College baseball team (10-8) split their doubleheader on the road with No.10 Herkimer on Sunday afternoon in Herkimer, N.Y.

Game One: Hudson Valley 12, Herkimer 2 (6 Innings)

The Vikings came out of the gates ready to play in the first game as they quickly posted four runs on three hits and three walks in the top of the first. Hudson Valley went on to mercy rule the No.10 ranked team in the country by adding eight more runs in the next five innings behind consistent hitting and dominant pitching.

Starting pitcher, Jacob LaFerriere (Troy/La Salle Institute) had all of the run support he needed as he tossed a complete game in six innings while giving up only two runs on nine hits with six strikeouts.

Offensively, the Vikings were led by Salvatore Pezzolla's (East Greenbush/La Salle Institute) three hits, including a home run in the third inning to extend Hudson Valley's lead to 10-0. Jackson Wenstrom (Mandan, North Dakota/Mandan) continued to swing a consistent bat as he collected two hits, including a home run in the second inning.

Zack Hyland (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) has been coming around in the last few games for the Vikings as well. Hyland connected for two base hits, including a double and scored a run in the game one win. Hyland currently has a .500 (4-for-8) batting average in his last three games.

Game Two: Hudson Valley 6, Herkimer 15

The Vikings fell behind early in the second game as Herkimer posted six runs in the home half of the first inning. Hudson Valley cut the deficit to three runs and trailed 9-6 after five innings but were unable to fight all the way back as they ran out of gas against one of the top teams in the country.

Herkimer posted its second six run inning in the sixth to push their lead to 15-6 and secured the series split. Hudson Valley had a hard time keeping Herkimer inside the park as the Generals hit six home runs in the game, including three in the first inning and one in the sixth.

The Vikings big inning came in the third, which was highlighted by a pair of triples from Nick Thomas (Scotia/Scotia-Glenville) and Nick Hansen (Troy/La Salle Institute). The duo drove in three runs in the inning and were a catalyst in the Vikings attempt to make a comeback.

Clayton Patrick (Schuylerville/Schuylerville) started on the mound and gave up eight runs (3 earned) on seven hits, including four Herkimer home runs.

On Deck:

The Vikings are back on the road this Tuesday, April 24 as they travel to play Schenectady at the newly renovated "A" diamond in Schenectady's Central Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. For fans planning on attending the game, please bring lawn chairs as the new bleachers have not been installed yet.