'Birds Beat 'Cats in Early Season Marathon

Aberdeen, MD (June 18th 2019) - It took three hours and forty minutes, but the Aberdeen IronBirds used them wisely to trounce the Tri-City Valleycats with a 12-6 win. The 'Birds scored more runs and had more hits than they have had all season. Defensively, there were 6 different "Web Gem" quality plays from all over the field 

W: Ryan Conroy (1-0)
L: Jayson Schroder (0-1)

BIG MOMENTS 

• Both teams scored in the first. Tri-City started it with a double and run scored from Preston Pavilca to make it 1-0. Aberdeen answered with Joey Ortiz and Jean Carmona both scoring on passed balls.
• The 3rd was where the 'Birds took control. Jaylen Ferguson led it off with a triple and scored on another passed ball. Four walks and two hits in the frame brought home a total of four runs.
• For the second straight night, Aberdeen got it done in the 7th. That included two RBI doubles for Toby Welk and Johnny Rizer. Through seven it was 11-2. 
• Tri-City picked away at the lead but never really got it done.

KEY IRONBIRDS CONTRIBUTORS 

• Jean Carmona: 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R
• Toby Welk: 2-for-5, RBI
• Joey Ortiz: 2-for-3, RBI, 2 BB

NEWS & NOTES 

• Ortiz and Jordan Cannon each had their first professional hits in the win, now all of Aberdeen's active 2019 picks have had their first knocks.
• It's the longest game the 'Birds have played in two season.
• Aberdeen has hit high water for this part of the season, with a 4-2 record.

WHAT'S NEXT 
IronBirds vs. Tri-City Valleycats, Thursday 7:05 p.m. 
Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium - Aberdeen, M.D.