TROY, NY - Brad Zunica laced a bases loaded single to put the Tri-City ValleyCats past the visiting New Jersey Jackals 8-7 on Friday night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.

In the first inning, Denis Phipps, currently atop the Frontier League in home runs and RBI, launched a three-run homer to left-center to get the 'Cats on the board quickly. The visting Jackals methodically battled back to take the lead, scoring a run in the second, two in the third, and another in the fourth.

The ValleyCats answered with four runs in the sixth. Brantley Bell, among the league leaders in batting average, had the big hit of the rally, emptying the bases with a three-run double.

New Jersey didn't go quietly, scoring a trio of runs to knot the game in the eighth, and set the stage for Zunica, one of five 'Cats with multiple hits, to send the 3,417 fans home happy an inning later.

Bell lead off the bottom of the ninth inning with a single against New Jersey closer Jose A. Ramirez. Pavin Parks followed with a laser a double to left center field, putting the winning run just 90 feet away. After an intentional walk to Phipps, Zunica came to the plate ready to play hero once again.

Bell, who scored the game-winning run, finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI, while Trey Cochran-Gill tossed two hitless innings to garner the win.

The teams continue their weekend series tomorrow at 7:00 pm. Kids 12 and under are able to attend the game free with a paid adult courtesy of CAP COM Federal Credit Union. For more information, and to get tickets, call (518) 629-2287.