JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - In the final non-MINK League game of the year, it was important for Renegades Head Coach Mike DeMillia’s crew to gain some confidence heading into three game sets with St. Joe and Nevada. That’s exactly what the Renegades were able to do tonight, recording three-run innings in both the fourth and the seventh.
Jefferson City (17-13, 13-13) kicked the scoring off quickly in the first, due in part to a leadoff triple by Justin McIntyre. He was doubled home just two batters later by Mike Million. After jumping out to a 4-0 lead by the start of the fifth, the Renegades appeared to be on their way to a comfortable victory, but after three walks in a row, the Mid-MO Legends were able to convert. All three walks came around to score, with two of those coming in on a Brian Bishop single. The Legends added another run as well, tying the game at four apiece.
With a brand new ball game, it was up to the pen to keep the Renegades even. In fact, the Renegades bullpen took care of all nine innings as Chris Sheputis, typically a middle reliever for the ball club, made his first start of the season, giving the Renegades three innings of shutout baseball. Sheputis struck out three, gave up just three hits, and hit a batter before handing it off to the rest of the staff.
After playing to a tie after five, the score would remain the same until the seventh inning stretch, after which the Renegades broke the game open. This time it was Jefferson City’s turn to take advantage of defensive mistakes. They scored three runs and recorded just a single hit in the inning, sending eight hitters to the plate in the frame.
The Legends gave up a walk, and then committed a rare three errors in a row. Jady Reese made the Legends pay, doubling in two and giving the Renegades a 7-4 lead – an edge they never relinquished.
Kaelen Dowling put a bracket on the scoring singling and then later scored in the eighth.
There were a few familiar Renegades' faces in the opposing dugout of the Mid-Missouri Legends. Renegades board members and founders Denny Atwell and Steve Dullard got to swing the lumber a few times. Atwell recorded a defensive assist while Dullard went 1-2 at the plate with a single to centerfield. Renegades PA Announcer Cameron Cockrum also got a few plate appearances in the contest despite being unsuccessful in reaching first base.
Atwell, in his final season with the Renegades, and Dullard received player of the game honors alongside Renegades starter Sheputis.
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