Rumble Ponies reflect on strong first half of the season

BINGHAMTON, NY (WBNG) - The Rumble Ponies are still looking to lock up the Eastern League’s other playoff spot after a solid first half of the season. Ponies manager Reid Brignac talked about his team’s first-half performance, specifically about the defensive side of the game.

“The guys have played really well,” said Brignac. “We focus a lot on fundamentals, like taking care of the baseball. Our pitchers have done a really good job of late of attacking the strike zone and putting opposing hitters in defensive counts, and that’s kind of what we stress.”

Binghamton currently is sixth at the plate and eighth on the mound overall in the league.

Starting pitchers Joander Suarez and Tyler Stuart have shown the most production on the bump, the two each tossing more than 50 innings already this season. Stuart had this to say about what the biggest adjustment has been from the Single-A to Double-A level.

“Biggest adjustment is just throwing nastier stuff in the zone to start off, and then kind of expanding when you get ahead,” said Stuart. “Just staying on top of that and filling up the zone. You really don’t want to get behind against these guys.”

Shortstop Jeremiah Jackson and first baseman Ryan Clifford have led the way in hitting with nine home runs and eight home runs each respectively. Brignac laid out the Ponies’ expectations going into the second half of the year.

“It’d be great to make the playoffs and make another run,” said Brignac. “Getting guys promoted to the next level is another goal. So, we attack every day, we work every day, and try to get better every day.”

Binghamton is still looking for its first win after the halfway point.