Unicorns Rally Past Beavers, 4-2
UTICA, Mich. – A four-run fifth inning proved to be the difference as the Utica Unicorns (6-4) erased an early deficit and defeated the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers (5-5), 4-2, on Friday night at UWM Field.
The Beavers struck first in the opening inning when Tommy Barth launched a solo home run to right field, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. Barth finished the night 2-for-3 with a home run, RBI, and a walk.
The game remained a pitchers’ duel until the top of the fifth, when the Unicorns broke through. After putting runners aboard, Rafael Jackson III delivered the biggest swing of the night, crushing a three-run homer to cap a four-run inning and give the Unicorns a 4-1 advantage. Jackson finished 1-for-4 with four RBIs, accounting for all of the Unicorns’ runs.
The Unicorns collected nine hits on the evening, led by multi-hit performances from Z. Brannigan (2-for-4), A. Harrell (2-for-3), and Manny Jackson (2-for-3).
On the mound, Coley Kilpatrick earned the win after tossing 5.2 innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out six. The Unicorns’ bullpen combined to allow just one run over the final 1.1 innings to secure the victory.
The Beavers threatened late and plated a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by David Coppedge, but the comeback bid fell short. Kaehukai Young led the Beavers offensively with two hits, while Anthony Abbatine added a hit and scored a run.
With the win, the Unicorns improve their standing while the Beavers were unable to overcome the decisive fifth-inning rally in the 4-2 contest.