Fishkill - The Renegades came into last Thursday night’s game looking to keep on rolling and win their fourth consecutive game. The Staten Island Yankees came into town to try and derail the ‘Gades, but couldn’t overcome solid Renegade pitching. The Renegades won the game 3-2, and now hold sole possession of first place for the first time all season.
Twenty-year-old Shane Dyer, who lasted only one inning in his pervious start, was on the hill for the Renegades. Dyer looked to be much more economical in his second start throwing only 13 pitches in the first inning. Dyer did not factor into the decision lasting three innings on the mound allowing one run on four hits
The Renegades struck immediately in the home half of the first giving them an early two-run lead. Jason Tweedy led off the game by ripping a base hit to right field to increase his current hitting streak to four games. Tweedy advanced to second base on a ground ball by Anthony Scelfo which put him into scoring position for cleanup hitter Jason Corder. Corder did the job and punched a single into short right field. Staten Island right fielder Melky Mesa came up with it and threw a strike to home, but Tweedy was able to jar the ball loose from catcher Mitch Abeita to score the first run of the game. Mike McKenna followed with a single through the left side, which plated Corder to make the score 2-0 ‘Gades.
It looked as if the Yankees would answer and get on the board in the top of the second inning after shortstop Addison Maruszak sent a ball down the right field line but right fielder Corder had other ideas. Corder was able to throw out Maruszak trying to stretch his single into a double, to end the inning.
The Yankees would eventually touch up Dyer in the third inning, but the damage could have been much worse. The Baby Bombers loaded the bases against the Renegades starter with no one out, after 2 hits and a walk. Dyer would then buckle down and get cleanup hitter Brian Baisley to pop out to short right field for the first out. Melky Mesa then grounded out to third to bring across a run, but Dyer was able to hold the lead after Mike McKenna came sliding across the outfield grass to make a tremendous catch to rob Taylor Grote.
Scott Welch relieved Dyer in the fourth and couldn’t hold the lead. Staten Island tied the score at 2-2 after an RBI single by Ray Kruml.
The Renegades struck right back to reclaim the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Jason Corder led off the inning with a double to deep center and was sent home on a base hit to right by catcher John Mollicone to make it 3-2. The hit ended up chasing Yankees starter Cory Arbiso from the ballgame.
Staten Island would threaten again in the top of the sixth against reliever Diego Echeverria. Echeverria ended up getting two outs, but left the game with men on second and third. Southpaw Neil Schenk replaced the knuckleballer and got Ryan Wilkes to strike out swinging to end the threat.
Looking to tack on some important insurance runs, the Renegades played some small ball in the bottom of the seventh. Jason Tweedy and Matt Hall reached on infield singles to start the inning and Anthony Scelfo advanced them on a sacrifice bunt. The Yankees would then elect to intentionally walk Jason Corder to load the bases with one out, but the Renegades couldn’t take advantage and left the bases loaded.
With the offense not being able to push across any more runs, the Renegades bullpen went to work. Tommy Rafferty came in to pitch an easy eighth inning and handed over the lead to right- hander Travis Risser, who pitched a quick ninth to earn his first save of the year.
