By Stephen BrownRenegades 5
Cyclones 16
Thursday, June 23 at MCU Park
The Cyclones rapped out 18 hits in a relentless blitzkrieg attack on a steamy night in Coney against the Hudson Valley Renegades.
Hudson Valley pitcher Julius Dettrich looked shaky from the outset, giving up singles to Darrell Ceciliani and Corey Vaughn before issuing a balk to open the first inning. Jeff Flagg then crushed a bases-clearing triple, the first of two on the night, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Cyclones skipper Wally Backman attributed the relentless barrage of hits to some stern words he had for the team on Wednesday after it could only muster three hits in a loss to Aberdeen.
“They didn’t swing the bat well yesterday, so I called a meeting. They sure came out swinging today,” Backman said after the game.
On the night, Flagg had four RBIs and four hits. Shortstop Rylan Sandoval also jacked a three-run shot deep into left field.
Starting pitcher Chris Hilliard was solid through six innings, scattering six hits and striking out two, earning his second win and dropping his ERA to 1.50.
Backman showed his intensity — or temper, depending on your perspective — in the ninth, as he was ejected from the game after challenging a questionable two-run dinger that appeared to be foul. His team may have been up by 13 runs, but Backman ripped off his cap and got nose to nose with the umpire, much to the crowd’s delight.
“I said a word he didn’t like,” Backman said. “The ump said, ‘Don’t say that again,’ — and I let him have it. If he wants to jaw, I’ll jaw.”
The Cyclones are on the road until Monday, June 29 for a home game against the same Renegades at MCU Park [1904 Surf Ave. at W. 19th Street in Coney Island, (718) 449-8497]. For info, visit www.brooklyncyclones.com.
