‘Cats Sweep Miners, Advance to Conference Finals
AUGUSTA, NJ - The Tri-City ValleyCats (2-0) defeated the Sussex County Miners (0-2) 4-3 on Friday at Skylands Stadium in Game 2 of the Wild Card Round. The ValleyCats won the best-of-three series against the Miners, and have advanced to the next round of the playoffs: the Atlantic Conference Finals.
Tri-City opened the scoring in the second. Oscar Campos singled off Billy Parsons and Ian Walters went deep to give the ‘Cats a 2-0 lead. It was his second home run in as many at bats.
Tri-City added in the sixth. Dylan Broderick was plunked. Jake Reinisch and Walters greeted Tyler Luneke with a pair of singles, which loaded the bases. Josh Leslie reached on an error from Luneke, and Broderick crossed the plate to make it a 3-0 game.
Campos went yard off Will Silva in the eighth to put the ValleyCats on top, 4-0.
Sussex County responded in its half of the eighth. Dom Johnson singled off Wes Albert and Sean Roby Jr. belted a two-run homer. Austin Dill walked Abdel Guadalupe. Alec Sayre then singled. Jordan Smith brought in Guadalupe with a double, but Sayre was thrown out 9-3-2 at the plate as the ‘Cats held on to a 4-3 lead.
Easton Klein (1-0) earned the win. He tossed five shutout frames, yielding two hits, walking three, and striking out five. Liu Fuenmayor earned the save. He threw a scoreless ninth, striking out two.
Parsons (0-1) received the loss. He pitched 5.2 innings, giving up three runs, two earned on four hits, striking out two.
Tri-City begins the best-of-five Conference Finals Series against the Québec Capitales on Tuesday, September 9th at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for a 6:30 PM start.
FINAL | TRI-CITY 4 | SUSSEX COUNTY 3
W: Easton Klein (1-0)
L: Billy Parsons (0-1)
S: Liu Fuenmayor (1)
Time of Game: 2:26
Attendance: 2,097
The ValleyCats continue their 23rd season in the Capital Region. Game 1 of the Conference Finals will be at “The Joe” on Tuesday, September 9th and Game 2 will be on Wednesday, September 10th. Both games would start at 6:30 PM with the gates opening at 5:30 PM. These two games are currently on-sale as Playoff Games B & C.
Secure your ticket to fun through this link. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 518-629-CATS (2287) or by visiting the Joe Bruno Stadium Box Office.