Unicorns Hold Off Mammoths, 7-6
UTICA, Mich. – The Utica Unicorns (13-11) survived a valiant comeback effort in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Westside Wooly Mammoths (12-8), winning 7-6, in an exciting game at Jimmy John’s Field.
The Unicorns began the scoring early, putting up three runs on the board in the first inning. Ethan Krizen hit a single, which earned him two RBI, followed by a ground rule double hit from Ryan Enos, as the Unicorns would exit the inning with a 3-0 lead.
Colby Seltzer started the scoring for Westside in the second inning, launching a solo home run to center field.
Utica’s Austin Ochoa hit his first home run of the season in the third. Kyle Schmack and Jared Weber also earned RBI on singles in the fourth inning to extend the Utica lead, 6-1.
The Mammoths cut into the Unicorn’s lead, earning two runs in the bottom of the seventh, with Seltzer scoring his second run of the game, and Alex Garbacik hitting an RBI single.
The comeback effort would continue in the ninth, as Westside would find themselves with the bases loaded, and no outs. Garbacik, Nick Pastore, and Anthony Sharkas, in his first game back from injury, all brought in runs to bring the score within one.
Utica’s RHP Conner Tomasic proved to be the hero of the game, striking out Drew Fleming and making the game winning strike to secure an out at home plate to end the rally effort from the Mammoths.
Ochoa ended the night going 2-for-4 with a home rub, two runs scored and one RBI.
Written by: Ethan Desjardine