Late Hudson Valley Run Spoils Brooklyn Cyclones Home Opener

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

OPENING DAY
Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Our Brooklyn Cyclones are finally home.  The 2019 New York Penn League champions returned to their Coney Island grounds for the first time in twenty months or upwards of 600-plus days; pick your poison.  They've been promoted up in levels, and now play in the newly formed High-A East Division.  Brooklyn opened the season on the road.  For the first time in the respective team's histories, the Cyclones faced-off against the Asheville Tourists and the Greenville Drive.  Because of MiLB realignment, many members of the 2019 champions are returning for a second season in Brooklyn.  Among them are position players Brett Baty, Antione Duplantis, Joe Genord,  Luke Ritter, Jose Mena, and Jake Mangum.  From the pitching ranks, returning hurlers include Dan Goggin,  Andrew Edwards, Mitch Ragan, Brian Metoyer, Josh Hejka, Alec Kisena, Jaison Vilera, and Josh Walker.

HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES

vs.

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

FROM

Old Steeplechase Grounds

Let the rivalry begin!  The Hudson Valley Renegades are by no means strangers to Brooklyn.  Pandemic aside, this season marks the 20th year of competition between the two former New York Penn League member clubs.  But make no mistake, the playing field has changed.  The New York Yankees new affiliate is now the Cyclones chief rival.  Gone are the days of Brooklyn vs. Staten Island.  This is now about Kings County versus Dutchess County.  Better said, the battle for Downstate New York is on! 

Ceremonial First Pitch Thrown By Returning Champions

Andrew Edwards to Antoine Duplantis

FIRST PITCH

Jose Butto to Hayden Senger

Old Neighbors to the North Spoil Opening Day in Brooklyn

In the first game at Coney Island since the September 2019 championship series, the Hudson Valley Renegades outlast the host Cyclones in a see-saw battle at old Steeplechase grounds. 

• FINAL SCORE: HVR 4; BKN 3
• BOXSCORE #12: Tuesday, May 18, 2021

In the top of the third, Hudson Valley starter Hayden Wesneski unleashes a wild pitch permitting catcher Hayden Senger to score from third.  The score remains unchanged until the sixth when Renegade first baseman Kyle MacDonald homers off Cyclones starter Jose Butto with a man on base.  Brooklyn reclaims the lead on Joe Genord's two-run home run in the seventh scoring Brett Baty.  But Kyle MacDonald singles off reliever Nick MacDonald in the eighth, tying the game at three.  

Facing Andrew Edwards with two outs in the top of the ninth, Hudson Valley right fielder Pablo Oliveras connects for a run-scoring double giving the Renegades a 4-3 lead.  In the bottom of the ninth right-hander, Zach Greene retires Brooklyn in order to earn the win.  Cyclones' Andrew Edwards takes the loss.