Unicorns Hold Off Mammoths in High-Scoring 9-7 Victory
UTICA, Mich. – The Utica Unicorns (16-13) built an early lead and withstood a late push from the Westside Woolly Mammoths (16-12) to earn a 9-7 victory Friday night at UWM Field. The Unicorns scored in five of the first five innings, collecting nine runs on nine hits to secure the win.
Utica struck first with two runs in the opening inning before adding another in the second and two more in the third. After Westside battled back to tie things up, the Unicorns answered with a three-run fourth inning and added an insurance run in the fifth to regain control.
The Unicorns’ offense featured contributions throughout the lineup. Rafael Jackson III delivered the biggest swing of the night with a two-run home run in the third inning and finished with three RBIs. Zayd Brannigan scored twice, collected two hits—including a double—and drove in two runs, while Ryan Enos added a pair of doubles and two RBIs. Cecil Lofton and Alex Harrell each chipped in two hits as Utica totaled nine hits in the victory.
Westside stayed within striking distance thanks to the long ball. Chase Jans got the Mammoths on the board with a solo homer in the second before Jordan Viars launched a two-run blast later in the inning. Dalton Pearson added a three-run home run in the fourth, while Viars finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Brady Krzciok also had a strong night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.
Despite allowing seven runs over 3.1 innings, Utica starter Coley Kilpatrick earned the win after the Unicorns’ offense supplied early run support. The bullpen settled the game from there, as Edrian Rangel and Garrett Harker combined to toss 2.2 scoreless innings before Griffin Graham retired the side in the seventh to record the save and preserve the 9-7 win.