TROY, NY - Rightfielder Carson McCusker delivered a walk-off three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to give the Tri-City ValleyCats a sweep of today's doubleheader with the Sussex County Miners. The blast capped nine unanswered runs by the 'Cats in the 9-6 home victory at a sold-out Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.

Trailing 6-2 going into their final at-bat, the 'Cats rallied for four runs to send the game to extras.  Shortstop Cito Culver had the big hit of the rally, a three-run homer into the Tri-City bullpen with two outs.

The Miners (52-40) got out to a 6-0 lead with a half dozen runs in the fourth. First baseman Alex Toral accounted for half of the runs with a homer to right-center.

Third baseman Pavin Parks and leftfielder Joey Campagna laced RBI singles in the fourth and fifth to cut into the deficit and set the stage for the heroic home runs to follow.

McCusker went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI, while Culver was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Tri-City (51-40), battling to earn a spot in the Frontier League Playoffs in front of a sold-out crowd, used a late rally to take the opener 7-3. The 'Cats scored five runs in the sixth to erase a 3-2 Miner lead. 

After Culver stroked a ribbie double to tie it, second baseman Brantley Bell, the league leader in batting average, blasted a three-run homer to left-center. Parks followed with a back-to-back solo shot to right for the final margin. The ValleyCats, atop the circuit with 160 homers on the season, cleared the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium fences five times in the sweep. Designated hitter Denis Phipps commenced the scoring in today's first game with a solo home run to left-center. The former Cincinnati Red, now with 33 home runs, is just three away from equaling the league single-season record of 36 (Morgan Burkhart, Richmond, 1998).

Sussex County got its three runs in the opener on a bases-loaded double by infielder Juan Silverio. The former 'Cat went 3-for-7 with three RBI and a run scored across his return to "The Joe".

Culver began the day by going 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, while Phipps went 3-for-4 with the homer.  Culver finished the twin-bill 4-for-7 with four RBI and three runs scored, helping the 'Cats stay in the hunt for a postseason berth. 

The teams wrap up their important three-game series tomorrow at 6:30 pm. Going into the contest, both squads are currently on the outside looking in for a playoff spot. Sussex County is a game back of third-place Ottawa (52-38), with the 'Cats a game and a half back of the Titans.

The final "Throwback Thursday" game of the regular season will recognize the 20th season of ValleyCats Baseball numerous ways. 

The 'Cats will be wearing their black 20th anniversary jerseys,  featuring the red Tri-City wordmark across the chest with a sublimation of "The Joe" and the 20th Season logo on the left sleeve. These jerseys, worn on all Thursday home games along with select dates both at home and on the road, will be auctioned via LiveSource to benefit Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. Visit https://desktop.livesourceapp. com/home to bid. The auction closes during the seventh inning of Thursday night's game.

In addition, the first 500 fans through the gates will receive a 20th anniversary ValleyCats baseball card set. (Please note: Full-Season Season Ticket Holders are guaranteed a card set and can pick theirs up by Brown's on the 1st Base Concourse during the game.)

Fireworks, presented by Price Chopper/Market 32, are scheduled to follow the contest.

Get your tickets to support the 'Cats in their push for the postseason by calling (518) 629-2287, going online, or stopping by the box office.