TROY – In a stunning display of talent and skill, rookie Robbie Merced of the Tri-City ValleyCats hit his second career home run, a walk-off two-run homer, in the bottom of the ninth inning. This momentous occasion took place during an 11-10 victory over the Schaumburg Boomers, witnessed by 2,657 enthusiastic fans at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.
Merced, a player from Central Methodist, an NAIA school in Fayette, Mo, expressed his gratitude to his teammates for their support and guidance during his transition to the professional level. Despite being only in his seventh professional game, Merced demonstrated remarkable composure and confidence on the field.
The ValleyCats triumphed in two of three games against Schaumburg, a team that has reached the last two Frontier League championship series. Merced, who happens to be the son of former big-league player Orlando Merced, celebrated his second walk-off home run, the first occurring during his time as a junior at Central Methodist.
The thrilling sequence of events leading up to Merced’s heroics began with a broken-bat infield single by pinch-hitter Rafi Vazquez, who is typically a pitcher. Following a strikeout by Pavin Parks, Merced seized the opportunity and launched a 1-1 pitch from reliever Dylan Stutsman over the leftfield fence, securing the victory.
ValleyCats manager Pete Incaviglia noted Merced’s improvement and commended his batting performance against experienced pitchers. Incaviglia acknowledged the learning curve that Merced will encounter but expressed confidence in the young player’s abilities.
The ValleyCats initially took a commanding 6-2 lead in the first inning, only to fall behind 10-6. However, a resilient rally in the eighth inning, featuring Jakob Goldfarb’s three-run homer followed by Merced’s walk-off blast, secured the thrilling win.
The team’s character and love for the game were evident, as remarked by Incaviglia. Their undying desire to succeed motivated them to deliver an impressive performance.
In a strategic move, Incaviglia selected Vazquez, a left-handed batter, to face Stutsman, a right-handed pitcher at the start of the ninth inning. This decision paid off when Vazquez, who also pitched in the previous day’s game against Schaumburg, delivered an unexpected infield single.
Vazquez expressed his happiness in helping out the Tri-City offense, particularly in the absence of Carson McCusker and Trey Hair, who recently joined other teams. The team’s camaraderie and Vazquez’s multifaceted role as a pitcher and impact player contribute to their collective success.
The next challenge for the ValleyCats awaits them in a three-game series against the New Jersey Jackals, who have recently relocated to Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, N.J. The peculiar dimensions of the stadium, including a rightfield foul pole just 275 feet from home plate, make it a unique playing field. The Jackals currently lead the Frontier League in home runs, posing a challenge for the ValleyCats’ pitching staff, which struggled against Schaumburg.
Incaviglia expressed disbelief that professional players, including those with experience in the big leagues, would compete in such a park. However, he acknowledged the excitement that high flyballs can bring to the game.
In conclusion, Merced’s exceptional performance and the ValleyCats’ resiliency have captivated fans, and their upcoming series against the New Jersey Jackals promises to be an intriguing contest on a distinct playing field.
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