Beavers Win Game One Over Hoppers, 3-2
July 13th, 2024
UTICA, Mich. – The Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers (6-16) would defeat the Eastside Diamond Hoppers (6-16), 3-2, in a matchup between two of the league’s best pitchers, Greg Loukinen and Pierce Banks.
Loukinen earned the win, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing one run, three hits, and totaling six strikeouts.
In the game’s first at-bat, the Beaver’s leadoff hitter, Matt Piotrowski, launched a 375-foot home run to center field. Eastside would tie the game in the bottom of the third, when Bailey Martin hit a solo home run of his own.
After a fielding error by the Hoppers and a Joe Burke sac fly, the Beavers regained the lead in the fifth to extend the lead 3-1.
The Hoppers would not give up though. In the sixth and final inning, Ben Ferguson hit a home run to bring the game within one run. Bryant Shellenbarger hit a double, but Eastside would not be able to get any other runners home, and the game would end on strikeouts.
Written by: Ethan Desjardine