ValleyCats host game one of NYPenn League Championship
TROY » The ValleyCats just keep winning and keep their baseball season, keeps going. Now, they are in the last possible series they can play this season.
“We feel very fortunate,” said Manager Jason Bell. “We’ve had a lot of player moves — I feel very fortunate to be in the position we are.”
This series, is against the Hudson Valley Renegades, who the ValleyCats have seen nine times this season and are 4-5 against. That’s just about as even as it can get.
“We are familiar with them but it doesn’t change our strategy in the game too much,” said Manager Jason Bell. “
Just two weeks ago, the ValleyCats were swept against the Spinners and their chances of even making the playoffs were being questioned. Now, have not only made it to the playoffs, but are one of two last standing battling for a New York-Penn
League Championship.
“Our main focus has been to stay with what we have been doing,” said Bell. “We’ve been in first place in our division for most of the year because we have been doing what we are supposed to do. Each guy working on developing their skills regularly and not taking any days off has developed our players who may have been lower on the totem pole at the beginning of the year into, now, premier players in the batting order and in the defense.”
The ValleyCats will host game one of the series and have to travel for games two and three again, just like last series. A big factor in the series will be how the ValleyCats will be affected by the turf field at Dutchess, where two games will be played.
“Being at home the ball is a little bit slower on the grass, but playing on the road, for the ending of the series will be a little bit different because the turf plays a little bit faster,” said Bell. “You have to play your infielders back a little bit deeper depending on where they are located at in the shift, but it is important for the infielders to know it is going to be a longer throw typically and judging the speed of the balls will be a different manner.”
That’s what happens when you don’t have home field advantage. You have to go into an unfamiliar ballpark for the majority of a series and deal with conditions you aren’t totally used to.
“For us, it is important to get off to a good start and take it pitch by pitch,” said Bell. “We can’t look too far down the road into game two or a potential game three. So, just staying in ourselves and focusing on the first pitch tomorrow night.”
Bell doesn’t think many changes will be made to the lineup despite the fairly unfamiliar terrain.
“It’s going to stay unchanged for the most part, but it’ll also be looking at the opposing pitcher and matching up with our best available lineup,” said Bell.
Shawn Dubin will take the ball on the mound for game one Saturday night at home for the ValleyCats. Dubin was 2-1 this season with a 4.60 ERA through 29.1 innings pitched,
“He’s a competitor, you can feel it from the get go,” said Bell. “I’m excited. He’s a guy that typically attacks the strike zone. I feel very confident.”
Regardless, the ValleyCats are excited. Not to many teams can still be playing meaningful baseball, but it is still a job for them, and they still have a job to do.
“We’re having a short workout where our guys hit and pitchers throw a little bit and make sure their bodies are moving around a little bit and prepared for tomorrow night,” said Bell. “We’re excited. It’s going to be a good series.”