Augusta, NJ – The Sussex County Miners faced the Tri-City ValleyCats at the Miners homefield of Skylands Stadium. The Miners’ pitcher Kellen Brothers faced the ValleyCats’ pitcher Andrew Armstrong. This game was a battle of defenses as both sides quickly racked up strikeouts. Both sides denied the other runs and kept the game at a standstill. The game turned into the Miners’ favor in the bottom of the fourth inning. With a blank score on both sides, and his fellow teammates on bases, third basemen Haiden Walters stepped up to the plate. Walters delivered an RBI single to centerfield to bring home catcher Keenan O’Brien. Walters’ single turned the tides to bring the score 1-0 to give the Miners the lead.
The Miners held the line on defense with Kellen Brothers striking out the competition. The ValleyCats, however, would create a window of opportunity at the top of the seventh inning. Shortstop JanCarlos Colon reached first base on a bunt to bring home ValleyCats catcher Broc Parmer. The ValleyCats’ efforts evened the playing field with a score of 1-1. Both teams fought to break even while rotating pitchers with the Miners switching in for Matt Stil and the ValleyCats switched in Brayhans Barreto. Yet, it was in the bottom of the eighth inning that the Miners sought to turn the game around. Right fielder Kiko Romero stepped up to the plate with two of his teammates on bases, and one of them in scoring position. Romero delivered a hit that was swiftly forced out by the ValleyCats. However, Romero’s efforts were not in vain as first baseman Dean Ferrara ran back home from third base. Romero’s hit brought his fellow teammate back to home plate and gave the Miners a 2-1 lead. They continued their lead into the final inning, even switching in Parker Primeaux to secure their win.
Tonight also brandished several new milestones for the Miners. This game marked Kellen Brothers’ 20th start of the season, and the third to do so in Miners’ history. Brothers’ success against the ValleyCats also marked another milestone in his pitching career with 300 strikeouts. Hunter D’Amato also reached a milestone with 131 Hits this season, which marked a brand-new Singles record in Miners’ history.
The Sussex County Miners will play their final game this season against the Tri-City ValleyCats at Skylands Stadium on Sunday, September 6th. The first pitch will be at 6:35 pm EST. Be sure to tune in on the Frontier League Network, powered by HTN.
By: Paul Brignola