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Sports

Bats Go Quiet in IronBirds' First Loss

Shortstop Mychal Givens scored Aberdeen's lone run.

Jacob Cowan shook off his early struggles a little too late Saturday. The IronBirds starting pitcher opened the game with 10 consecutive balls to Hudson Valley and yielded a run in each of the first three innings en route to a 3–1 loss.

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“It’s tough going from pitching in front of 20 fans in extended spring training and coming out here and having 6,000 people out there,” Cowan said. “This was the first time in front of fans in a real setting.” (See Video.)

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After walking the first two batters of the game, Cowan got Kes Carter to fly out to center. But second baseman Dudley Leonora tossed a wild relay throw all the way to the IronBirds (1–1) dugout, allowing Hudson Valley’s Chris Winder to score from second.

Craig Lyerly and Carter scored in the second and third innings, respectively, for the Renegades.

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Cowan (0–1) pitched five innings, allowing all three runs—two earned—on five hits and four walks with three strikeouts.

After getting hit by a pitch with one out in the second, Mychael Givens scored Aberdeen’s only run two batters later on a two-out Kyle Hoppy base hit.

The IronBirds' only other hits, also singles, came from Riley Hornback and Jeremy Nowak.

“I guess maybe they tried too hard today,” Manager Leo Gomez said. “It’s a little bit disappointing. … But like I said, this is part of the game.”

Jason McEachern (1–0) went five innings to pick up the win for Hudson Valley (1–1). He allowed one run on one hit with three strikeouts and two walks. Andrew Leary picked up a four-inning save for the Renegades, striking out one and allowing two hits.

Gomez said he is not worried about Cowan.

“He struggled for the first couple innings but came back and pitched good,” Gomez said. “But he’ll be fine. It’s the first time he threw since extended spring so he’ll be all right.”

NEXT GAME: Sunday, 5:35 p.m.

Projected starters: Aberdeen IronBirds (1–1): David Baker (0–0) vs. Hudson Valley (1–1): Jacob Partridge (0–0)

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