STATEN ISLAND, NY - They pitched well enough to win but couldn’t deliver the big hit. Instead, a two-run 11th allowed the Renegades to squeeze out a 3-1 win over the Baby Bombers before a second consecutive sellout of 7,171 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George Friday night.

Deadlocked at one in extras, Hudson Valley finally broke through by pushing across a couple in the 11th off losing Staten Island reliever Drew Shetrone. Following a one out Michael Sheridan base hit, Renegades’ pinch hitter Kyeong Kang battled back from an 0-2 hole to full count before lacing an opposite field go-ahead double out of left fielder Taylor Grote’s reach.

“It was tough. They just outhit us but we have to get stuff going. Just couldn’t execute with runners in scoring position a few imes. Myself included,” Grote later pointed out. ”We’re battling. Even when we were down two, I felt like we gave it a good run there. Even though we didn’t score there, we were still hustling and playing to the end.”

After Shetrone rebounded to get the second out of the inning on a called third strike to Michael Ross, Hudson shortstop Matt Hall delivered a key insurance run with a sharp single to left.

“Good game for us. First extra inning game of the year. A pretty good game for both teams,” Hall later indicated in the winner’s dugout after Marquis Fleming pitched around a leadoff Matt Morris walk for his first save of the season. “Earlier in the game, I felt I didn’t do my job by not getting some bunts down. It was nice to comeback and help the team get the other run in.”

In what was a well pitched game, the Renegade staff held the Staten Island Yankees to one run and five hits in 11 frames. That only run came via a two out fourth inning Grote RBI single to left plating first baseman Jahdiel Santamaria, who ledoff with a double.

“Good to see that. Let the ball travel a little bit more,” Grote indicated. “That’s why I like hitting in the five hole. I got to be able to produce. Bring in guys. Men on base. Got to stay regular on that.”

Threatening for more with two runners on after backstop Mitch Abeita walked, they couldn’t tack onto their lead with Hudson starter Nick Bannese catching a bit of luck when second baseman David Adams’ hard drive ticketed for center instead bounced off the pitcher right to the second baseman for an easy 1-4-3 putout.

Despite a solid debut outing from David Phelps who worked the first four scoreless while fanning three, Staten Island couldn’t nurse a one-run lead. A couple of innings later, the Renegades rallied to tie it when Jason Appel ledoff with a double off reliever Andy Shive. They put runners on the corners with nobody out thanks to Jason Tweedy beating out a bunt single down the third baseline. Braedyn Pruitt’s throw was just a tad late. That allowed Mike McKenna to tie it with a sacrifice fly.

Each ballclub would have chances to go ahead late. First, the Renegades had the potential go-ahead run 90 feet away when Pruitt let a ball go right underneath his glove for an E5. But with one out, S.I. reliever Josue Selenes was up to the challenge getting Sheridan and John Mollicone swinging to the approval of the crowd.

The following inning, Hudson Valley had another golden opportunity when pinch runner Michael Ross swiped both second and third with one out. This time, some stellar defense allowed the Bombers to escape when Anthony Scelfo lined into an unassisted 6-6 putout right to Addison Maruszak who easily tagged third with Ross way off the base.

In the home ninth, the S.I. shortstop had a chance to be the hero. With pinch runner Melky Mesa 90 feet away after a steal of second and advancing to third on a Mollicone throwing error, Maruszak struckout swinging against Hudson Valley reliever Robert Della Grotta.

“Our pitching’s been amazing all year long. They’ve been getting out of jams. Our pitching staff’s been great,” Hall added.

Though they fell in extras, the Bombers had to be pleased with the pitching overall. Something which wasn’t lost on Grote.

“[Phelps] threw real well. It was anybody’s game when he came out. Everyone came in and did well. Even Drew came in and did well. One hit and one guy ran into one a little bit. Got over my head. He threw well and was hitting spots.”

“It’s nice to come out here. We have great fans. Do well for the team and pitch my game. It worked well. So it was good,” a pleased Phelps said.

Notes: Due to the extra couple of frames, the game took three hours and 47 minutes to complete. But fans were still very entertained by a fun Staten Island Yankee staff led by Joey. … The teams combined to leave 35 runners on base with Hudson Valley stranding 20 while Staten Island left 15. … The Bombers used six pitchers while the Renegades went with four. The three relievers Josh Satow, Della Grota and Fleming combined for six and a third permitting only a hit while walking three and striking out seven. In 11 total innings, S.I. pitchers allowed three runs on 11 hits while walking three and fanning 10. … Santamaria was the only S.I. Yankee to have two hits and also made a nice catch reaching out near the Hudson Valley dugout to snag a foul ball. … Appel and Tweedy each had a couple of hits for the Renegades at the top of the order. … The middle game of the series is tonight at 7 in Hudson Valley with the final game Sunday afternoon back at St. George.

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