Renegades fall 3-2 after Ledbetter homer in ninth

Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 24, 2024) – In a game featuring excellent pitching on both sides between the Bowling Green Hot Rods and Hudson Valley Renegades, it was the visitors that found a deciding clutch hit in the ninth inning. Colton Ledbetter launched a two-run homer to right-center, as Bowling Green overcame a one-run deficit in the ninth to win 3-2 on Education Day at Heritage Financial Park on Wednesday.

Bowling Green opened the scoring in the third. Ryan Spikes walked and stole second in the third inning, before Chandler Simpson drove him in with an RBI single.

In the fourth, Hudson Valley knotted up the score via a Jace Avina solo shot into left field. It was the outfielder’s first home run of the season, and first in the New York Yankees system after being acquired in a trade during the offseason.

In a strong bounce back performance, Renegades starter Jackson Fristoe allowed just one hit and one earned run in 3.2 IP, while striking out five.

For the Hot Rods, Alex Cook threw 6.0 innings of one-run ball on three hits. Two of those hits came off the bat of Avina.

In the sixth, Bowling Green threatened against southpaw Ben Shields. A double by Angel Galarraga and a single by Simpson resulted in runners at second and third with nobody out. However, Shields then escaped the jam masterfully, retiring three consecutive Hot Rods batters in the heart of their order. He got Brayden Taylor to ground out, struck out Xavier Isaac, and induced a lineout to third by Cooper Kinney.

The Renegades looked like they had rallied for the winning run in the bottom of the eighth in a 1-1 game. After a leadoff walk to Kyle Battle, Hot Rods pitcher JJ Goss made a two-base error on a pickoff attempt, allowing Battle to reach third. Avina followed that up with his third hit of the game and his second RBI, a single to left to put Hudson Valley up 2-1.

In the ninth, the Hot Rods did not quit, though. With one out, Cooper Kinney singled off Hueston Morrill. In the ensuing at-bat, Colton Ledbetter hit a two-run homer to right-center, putting his team in front 3-2.

This proved to be the final run scored in the game, as the Renegades were retired in order in the bottom of the ninth.

Hudson Valley will look for their first win of the series Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. at Heritage Financial Park. Brian Hendry (1-0, 0.00) will start for the Renegades, while the Hot Rods will throw Yoniel Curet (0-1, 2.57). Coverage begins on the Renegades Baseball Network with the Heritage Financial Credit Union Pregame Show at 6:15.