Unicorns Walk Off Diamond Hoppers to Complete Doubleheader Sweep
August 3rd, 2026
UTICA, Mich. – The Utica Unicorns (19-13) rallied late to complete a doubleheader sweep of the Eastside Diamond Hoppers (9-23), scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth inning to secure a 5-4 walk-off victory Saturday night at UWM Field. After Eastside battled back from an early deficit to take the lead, the Unicorns answered in the final frame to cap an exciting finish.
Utica struck first with two runs in the opening inning before the Diamond Hoppers chipped away. Eastside scored in the second and third innings, then took a 4-2 lead in the fourth thanks to an RBI single from Josh Burke and a two-run double by Jarrett Chapman. Eli Watson scored twice and Jordan Malott collected a pair of hits as the Diamond Hoppers totaled seven hits in the contest.
The Unicorns refused to go away. They cut the deficit to one in the fifth before plating the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the sixth. Ryan Enos continued his impressive day with two hits and an RBI, while Joey Winters drove in two runs, including a sacrifice fly. Rafael Jackson III also added an RBI as Utica made the most of its six hits and nine walks.
Utica’s bullpen proved to be the difference down the stretch. After Eastside took the lead, the Unicorns pieced together four relief appearances, with John Whiteside earning the win after tossing a scoreless sixth inning. The staff combined to strike out nine Diamond Hoppers while limiting Eastside to just one run over the final two innings.