TROY, NY - Catcher Austin Elder lofted a sacrifice fly to plate rightfielder Carson McCusker as the Tri-City ValleyCats came back to defeat the visiting Empire State Greys 9-8 on Saturday night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.

With one out in the ninth McCusker tripled to right. Following an intentional pass to leftfielder Jesus Lujano, Elder delivered the walk-off victory. McCusker finished the night 3-for-4 with a double, triple, two runs scored and an RBI.

He was one of the five ValleyCats with multiple hits. Second baseman Brantley Bell, who began the day as the Frontier League leader in batting average, shortstop Cito Culver, catcher Joey Campagna, and Lujano were the others.

You couldn't script a better start for the 'Cats, as they held a 2-0 lead just two batters in. After Culver began the frame with a single, Bell extended his hitting streak to 25 games with a homer into the ValleyCats bullpen.

The Greys capitalized upon some wild Tri-City pitching in the fourth, scoring six runs on just two hits. Down 6-2, the 'Cats quickly halved the deficit with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Campagna had an RBI single, while centerfielder Jace Mercer had a sac fly.

Tri-City regained the lead with four runs in the bottom of the seventh. Lujano and Campagna laced RBI singles during the rally.

Empire State knotted the game at 8 in the eighth on a double by centerfielder Khalyd Cox. He went 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI in the setback.

The teams wrap up their weekend series tomorrow evening for Sunday Funday, presented by HighMark Blue Shield of NorthEastern New York. It is also NFL Night at The Joe. Gates open at 3:30 pm for catch on the field and the NY 529 College Savings Program's summer reading with the players taking place before the 5:00 pm series finale. Fireworks, presented by Price Chopper/Market 32, and Kids Run the Bases are scheduled to follow the contest. Get your tickets today by calling (518) 629-2287, going online, or stopping by the box office.