Utica Rolls Past Westside, 12-1, in Game One
UTICA, Mich. – The Utica Unicorns (21-13) opened Saturday’s doubleheader in dominant fashion, using an explosive six-run second inning to defeat the Westside Woolly Mammoths (19-14), 12-1, at UWM Field.
After a scoreless first inning, the Unicorns’ offense erupted in the second. Joey Winters delivered the biggest swing of the inning, launching a three-run home run to help Utica build a commanding 6-0 advantage. The Unicorns followed with three more runs in the third before adding another three in the sixth to put the game away.
Winters finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a home run and three RBI to lead the Utica offense. Zayd Brannigan had a big game of his own, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, an RBI and two stolen bases, while Rafael Jackson III went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI.
The Unicorns finished with 12 runs on 12 hits, with eight different players recording an RBI. Jackson’s sixth-inning double was Utica’s other extra-base hit alongside Winters’ home run.
On the mound, Griffin Graham earned the win, allowing just one run on three hits over three innings. Ray Ochoa followed with two scoreless innings before Dillon Fischer worked a hitless sixth. Together, the Utica pitching staff held Westside to just four hits and one run over six innings.
Westside’s lone run came in the bottom of the second, with Matt McGann driving in the run. Caleb Marmo, Brady Krzciok, Chase Jans and McGann accounted for the Woolly Mammoths’ four hits.