Game showcases best of Class A minor league
By Michael Turton
It was North versus South as the Hudson Valley Renegades hosted the NY-Penn League All-Star game at Dutchess Stadium on Aug. 16. After a third-inning rain delay, the South prevailed 9-5 behind a fourth inning, three-run home run by MVP Erlin Cerda, who plays third base for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
The North, which included seven Renegades all-stars, got off to a dramatic start when Tyler Hill, an outfielder with the Lowell Spinners, hit the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning over the left field fence for a quick 1-0 lead.
An affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Renegades sent infielders Nathaniel Lowe, Miles Mastrobuoni and Jim Haley; outfielder Angel Perez and pitchers Adrian Navas and Joe Serrapica. Their hurler Travis Ott started on the mound for the North, which was led by Renegades manager Tim Parenton.
The NY-Penn League has a storied history dating back to its formation as the New York-Ontario-Pennsylvania (PONY) League in 1939. Now a Class A Short Season league with 14 teams (including six in New York), its rosters have included many players who worked their way up to the big leagues and became standouts, including Curt Schilling, Dwight Gooden, Randy Johnson, Andy Pettitte, Billy Wagner and Jonathan Papelbon. Prior to the start of the All-Star game, league president Ben Hayes announced the latest inductees into the league’s Hall of Fame: Dick “Richie” Allen, Jorge Posada and Pete Rose.
The Renegades won league championships in 1999 and 2012. With a 32-22 record, the team is in first place by a half-game over the Staten Island Yankees. For schedule and ticket information, visit hvrenegades.com. The Renegades have a three-game home stand against Connecticut starting Tuesday, July 23, with the first pitch at 7:05 p.m. each night. Tickets start at $6.
