6/20: IronBirds-Cyclones Game Preview

After being swept by the Renegades, the IronBirds (0-3) will look to get in the win column in the first game of a six-game road trip and the first game of a 3-game series against the Brooklyn Cyclones (0-2).

In last night's 2-6 loss to the Renegades, IronBirds starter Luc Rennie had an outstanding first start of the season ( Also his IronBirds debut), going 4.2 Innings while allowing just 1 run on 5 hits with 3 walks and recording 7 K's. Renegades relievers Kevin Brandt ( 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K after coming on for injured starter John Farrell) and Corey MacDonald ( 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K's) held the IronBirds in check. The game was a pitchers duel through 6 Innings until Renegades 2B Ariel Soriano hit a 2-run HR in the 7th off Jorge Rivera to make it 3-0, and in the 9th, Catcher Oscar Hernandez hit a 3-run shot off of Alex Santana to make it 6-0 Hudson Valley. The game would end 6-2 after IronBirds 1B Trey Mancini scored CF George Barber and DH Sam Kimmel with a 2-run single ( His 1st professional hit!!!) in the bottom of the 9th.

RHP Austin Urban will take the mound for the IronBirds tonight. The 20-year-old was a 41st round pick by the Chicago Cubs in the 2011 MLB draft out of Richland HS (PA), but a back injury caused him to miss all of the 2012 season, after which the Cubs let him go and the Orioles signed him to a contract, who previously drafted Urban in the 27th round of the 2010 MLB draft, but could not get him to sign as he went to Penn State before transferring to Des Moines Area CC.

The Brooklyn Cyclones RHP John Gant will take the mound for the first time this season. The 20-year-old was a 21st round pick by the New York Mets in 2011 out of Wiregrass Ranch HS (FL) and posted a 3-4 record with a 4.98 ERA in 12 games with Kingsport (RK) and Savannah (A) in 2012.

Now, a couple of notes before the game tonight:

- Austin Urban is making his IronBirds debut!

- 3B Hector Veloz is the only IronBird to have a hit in each of the first 3 games of the 2013 season. He also has 5 of the IronBirds 13 Hits on the year, 3 of the teams 6 RBI's, and the teams only HR.

- Trey Mancini and Austin Wynns both had a hit in their professional debuts last night!

- The IronBirds pitching staff has 31 K's through the first 3 games of the year!

- IronBirds manager Matt Merullo is looking for his 1st win as the manager at Aberdeen tonight against Brooklyn, who's manager is Rich Donnelly ( 3rd year)

- The Cyclones L.J Mazzilli (3-8) and Matt Oberste (3-8, 1 HR, 2 RBI) have gotten off to a good start in 2013

- This is the first game of the 3-game series against Brooklyn, and after that, the IronBirds have a 3-game series in Staten Island to finish the road trip.

- Tonight's IronBirds Line-up: LF Kimmel, SS Breen, 1B Mancini, RF Hernandez, DH Rust, 3B Veloz, C Murphy, 2B Richards, CF Vega

That's it for now IronBirds Nation! Enjoy the game as the IronBirds look for the 1st win of the season tonight at 7 PM!!! Be sure to stay posted at IBN at the Aberdeen Patch for a recap after the game goes final! Until next time IBN, take it easy!!!

                                                          - Logan Quick