Hoppers Win Close Battle with Beavers, 2-1
UTICA, Mich. – The Eastside Diamond Hoppers (14-9) secured the walk-off victory in the second game of the Saturday doubleheader, defeating the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers (6-17) with a final score of 2-1 at Jimmy John’s Field.
The Beavers put up two hits in the first inning, bringing a runner to third, but were unable to score any runs. The first run of the game came in the top of the second. Ben Wilcoxson sent Christian Ortega home on a sac fly, earning his 11th RBI of the season.
The Hoppers began their offense in the 4th inning, finding themselves with the bases loaded and no outs. Grant Stephenson walked, escoring Bryant Shellenbarger and tying the game at 1-1. Birmingham’s Andrew Verbrugge stepped on the mound for the rest of the inning, and struck out the rest of the Hoppers to end the inning, only allowing one run to be scored.
Eastside loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, and Ben Ferguson earn the game-winning run on a wild pitch.
Written by: Ethan Desjardine