CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Thursday, April 13, 2023
The Hudson Valley Community College baseball program was defeated at home against the nationally-ranked Herkimer Generals in a pair a games that featured late game rallies by both programs.
GAME ONE: Herkimer 7, Hudson Valley 6
The opening game was a back-and-forth affair as both programs traded runs in nearly every inning, which was ultimately won by the Generals following a late, seventh inning run to take the evenly matched game.
Leading the way for the Vikings were Connor Waiting and Anthony Rizzo, who both collected two hits each. Waiting finished 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBIs.
With the Vikings trailing 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Juan Abreu came through in the clutch moment with an RBI double to right field, which allowed Michael Talavera to score the tying run.
Ethan Thompson earned the start for the Vikings and allowed six runs on eight hits, while striking out three batters. Jayden Hughes and Luis Misla relieved Thompson out of the bullpen to close out the game.
GAME TWO: Herkimer 17, Hudson Valley 10
The second game was a high-scoring game which had the Vikings leading 8-7 as the game entered the top of the sixth inning. Herkimer responded with a four-run inning to go up 11-8 with the Vikings coming to the plate in the bottom half of the inning,
In the home half of the sixth, the Vikings rallied to score two runs and the rally came to a halt with a great defensive play by the Generals pitcher as he snagged a line-drive off of Jaden Ross' bat to end the inning.
Tj Strevell and Paul Fernandez each doubled for the Vikings with Strevell leading the way offensively, hitting 3-for-4 at the plate with one run scored and two-RBIs. Rizzo and Abreu also collected two hits in the game. Rizzo finished the game 2-for-3 with a team-high four RBIs.
ON DECK:
The baseball program is back in action this Saturday, April 15 as they travel to take on Genesee in Batavia for a Region 3 doubleheader. The Vikings are back at Joe Bruno Stadium on Sunday, April 16 to take on Genesee beginning at 1 p.m.