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PEEKSKILL, N.Y. The Hudson Valley Raiders under-17 wood bat travel team for players from Peekskill, Croton, Cortlandt, Ossining, Putnam Valley and Montrose opened its summer season with a pair of wins on Fathers Day.
"We look very good," head coach Rick Tocco said. "I believe all the boys need is to just keep playing. We had no games since a Memorial Day Tournament. Then there were proms, graduations, regents and finals, so they have been busy doing other other things."
The Raiders swept a doubleheader against Arlngton, 3-2 in the first game and 6-5 in the night cap, coming from behind in both games.
Raiders pitcher Chris Pell had to work out of early jams in the first and second innings with the help of some solid defense, but Arlington got to him in the third for two runs. The Raiders tied the game in the fourth inning when Greg Lamb scored on a sacrifice fly by Kevin Nolan and Joe Nolan scored when Kyle Kuttruf reached safely on a fielding error.
Michael Haag relieved Pell in the fourth and was perfect for the remainder of the game, retiring all 12 batters he faced and striking out eight.
The Raiders won the game in the top of the sixth when Greg Lamb scored the winning run on a single by Kyle Kuttruf.
Arlington struck first again in game two, scoring three runs in the first inning when an error on what should have been the final out of the inning allowed Arlington the opportunity to score. Raiders pitcher Ricky Tocco worked out of trouble and limited the damage.
The Raiders pulled to within 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth when Pell scored on a fielding error as Tocco reached first safely. But Arlington picked up a run in the top of the fifth on another error to open a 4-1 lead.
Down three runs in the fifth inning, the Raiders scored when Chris Pell doubled Zach Giusti hoje to make it 4-2. Arlington tacked on another run in the top of the sixth, but the Raiders would respond.
Haag and Joe Nolan scored on a single by Kuttruf, who would score on a sacrifice fly by Tocco. With the score tied 5-5, Tocco retired Arlington in order in the seventh inning.
R.J. Lyman singled and stole second base to start the seventh for the Raiders and Pell doubled. With Raiders on at second and third, Arlington intentionally walked Greg Lamb to load the bases. Haag sacrifice fly scored Lyman with the winning run.
Tocco struck out five and allowed two earned runs to get his first win of the season on the mound.
The Raiders next game is Thursday against Frozen Ropes of Chester.
From a report by Raiders coach Rick Tocco.
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