Hoppers Hammer Beavers in Runaway Win
UTICA, Mich. – The Eastside Diamond Hoppers (14-6) jumped out early and never looked back, powering past the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers (7-10), 10-1, in Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader at Jimmy John’s Field.
Gio Ferraro set the tone in the top of the first, launching a three-run home run to give the Hoppers a quick 3-0 lead. The offense kept rolling with multi-hit performances from Sam Schner (2-for-4, RBI), Jorge Gonzalez (3-for-4, RBI, SB), and Andrew Bergeron (2-for-4, 2 RBI).
Bailey Martin was a spark in the lower half of the order, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and scoring twice. Nathan Mix chipped in with an RBI single in the fifth.
On the mound, Harry Orth earned the win with four solid innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out four. Deion Walker came on in relief and dominated, striking out four over two scoreless frames to slam the door shut.
The Beavers managed just one run in the third inning when Xander Willis tripled and came home on a Ben Wilcoxson RBI single. That was the lone highlight against a Hoppers pitching staff that allowed just one run and struck out eight.
Notable Performers:
- Gio Ferraro (EDH): 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB
- Jorge Gonzalez (EDH): 3-for-4, RBI, SB
- Andrew Bergeron (EDH): 2-for-4, 2 RBI
- Bailey Martin (EDH): 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R
- Harry Orth (EDH): 4.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 4 K (W)
- Deion Walker (EDH): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 K
- Xander Willis (BBB): 1-for-2, 3B, R
- Ben Wilcoxson (BBB): 1-for-2, RBI