Beavers Rally in Ninth to Defeat Unicorns, 6-4
August 14th, 2026
UTICA, Mich. – The Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers (20-16) saved their best for last Friday night at UWM Field, scoring four runs in the top of the ninth inning to rally past the Utica Unicorns (21-16), 6-4.
The Beavers struck first with a run in the second inning and held a 1-0 advantage until the seventh. The Beavers doubled their lead in the top half of the inning when Tommy Barth launched a solo home run, his second of the season.
The Unicorns responded in a big way in the bottom of the seventh. With two runners aboard, Zayd Brannigan connected on a three-run home run to put Utica in front, 3-2.
The lead held until the ninth, when the Beavers’ offense came alive. Birmingham Bloomfield sent four runs across the plate in the top of the ninth to turn the one-run deficit into a 6-3 advantage. David Coppedge, Barth, Kaehukai Young, Derek Gellos and Jeffrey Reseigh each finished the night with at least one RBI, with Barth driving in a team-high two runs.
Utica attempted to mount one final comeback in the bottom of the ninth. The Unicorns scored once to cut the deficit to two and loaded the bases, but Jack Hoeymans came out of the bullpen and shut the door. Hoeymans retired all three batters he faced to earn the save and preserve the 6-4 Beavers victory.
Spencer Smith earned the win after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and one walk. Beavers starter Jack Decker went 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out six.
At the plate, Birmingham Bloomfield collected 11 hits. Barth, Matt Piotrowski, Young and Gellos each recorded two-hit performances. Gellos also created havoc on the bases with two stolen bases.
Utica was held to five hits. Alex Harrell led the Unicorns with two hits, including a double, while Brannigan supplied the biggest swing of the night with his three-run homer. Ryan Enos also doubled for Utica.
The Beavers played error-free baseball defensively, while the Unicorns committed three errors.