CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Monday, March 13, 2023
The Hudson Valley Community College baseball program came up short on the road 8-3 against Alexandria Tech on Monday evening at the RussMatt Tournament in Auburndale, Fla.
The Vikings took a 2-0 lead with runs scored in the third and fourth inning before they gave up two, big four-run innings to the Legends in the bottom of the fifth and seventh innings, which ultimately put the game out of reach for a Hudson Valley comeback.
In the third, Josh Foglia scored on an RBI single to centerfield by newcomer Connor Waiting. Foglia reached base on a leadoff walk and later advanced to second on a ground out by Mike Talavera, which allowed Foglia to score on Waiting's single.
In the fourth, the Vikings connected for a big fly as Tj Strevell smashed a pitch over the leftfield fence for the team's first home run of the season, and put the Vikings up 2-0, a lead that lasted through the first half of the game.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Vikings were plagued by back-to-back errors which allowed Alexandria Tech to score four runs (three unearned) in the inning to take the lead on Hudson Valley. The Vikings managed to score again in the sixth inning, when Foglia drove in Jaden Ross on an RBI single for centerfield. The Vikings played small ball in this inning as Ross kicked off the small rally with a walk and later stole second base to put himself into scoring position, which he took advantage of when Foglia singled to centerfield.
More errors cost the Vikings in the seventh inning, which allowed the Legends to post four more runs on Hudson Valley and pull away for good as they Vikings were unable to produce any offense in the final two innings against Alexandria Tech's relievers.
On the mound, the Vikings had a strong outing from starting pitcher, Ethan Thompson, who tossed five complete innings and gave up four runs, one earned run on three hits and struck out seven batters for a 1.8) ERA.
On Deck:
Baseball is back in action tomorrow, March 14, under the lights at 7 p.m., when they take on Pasco-Hernando State in New Port Richey, Fla.