CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Wednesday, April 26, 2023

The Hudson Valley Community College earned a crucial home sweep in walk-off fashion over Cayuga at Joe Bruno Stadium on Wednesday afternoon and take over second place in the Region 3 East Standings with just eight games remaining on the season.

GAME ONE: Hudson Valley 6, Cayuga 3 (Final)

The first game of the day did not have the extra-inning excitement as the final game, but the game remained close for the entire game with the Vikings securing two additional insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to secure the three-run win.

In the sixth inning, Brendan Curry started the rally with a leadoff single to left field. Following a hit-by-pitch by Brayden Mann, Aidan Chrysler connected for an RBI single to left field, allowing Curry to score the Vikings fifth run of the game. Two batters later, Mike Talavera launched a sacrifice fly to right field which allowed Mann to score, extending the cushion as they took to the field in the seventh inning.

Luis Misla entered the game in relief to close the door on the Spartans, securing his first save of the season. Misla allowed one hit, one walk and struck out three batters to lock down the win. Ethan Thompson paced the Vikings in the first six innings of the game. He tossed 6.0 innings and gave up three runs on eight hits and struck out seven Spartans.

Three Vikings connected for multiple hits in the game. Talavera, Juan Abreu and Connor Waiting all finished with two hits. Talavera and Waiting joined Colin Lynch with extra-base hits, with Lynch and Talavera leading the team with two RBIs each.

GAME TWO: Hudson Valley 9, Cayuga 8 (8 innings)

The Vikings took the second game in dramatic fashion as Jaden Ross put the ball in play up the middle of the field and it took a poor hop and went by Cayuga's defenders to allow Connor Waiting to score the winning run, which secured the Vikings season series win over Cayuga.

Jayden Hughes earned the start and pitched well over three innings. He gave up six runs on four hits and struck out two batters. Cole Flannery entered in relief but could find the strike zone and was quickly pulled for Matt Hall. Hall was spectacular over the next three innings. He allowed two runs on two hits and walked only one batter, which allowed the Vikings to march back into the game.

Chance Herrington earned the win in the extra-inning game and was lights out, tossing two innings and gave up only three hits, while facing eight batters.

Leading the way for the offense was Waiting, Ross and Mike Talavera. The trip combined to hit 10-of-15 at the plate and drove in six RBIs and scored three runs. Waiting connected for a team-best two doubles, including a double in the eighth inning to set up his winning run.

ON DECK:

Up next for the baseball program is a four-game series with Mohawk Valley, who currently sit in fourth-place in the east standings. The Vikings are scheduled to host the Hawks this Saturday, April 29 for a Region 3 doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.