Unicorns Hold Off Hoppers in Back-and-Forth Battle
June 6th, 2025
UTICA, Mich. – The Utica Unicorns (6-4) used a clutch seventh-inning rally to take down the Eastside Diamond Hoppers (5-5), 6-5, in a tightly contested Friday night matchup at Jimmy John’s Field.
After trailing 3-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Unicorns tied the game and then surged ahead with a three-run seventh inning. Andrew Valdez delivered a two-RBI single to put Utica in front, and Chris Schoeller followed with an RBI walk to cap off the scoring.
The Hoppers mounted a late push in the ninth, scoring twice and loading the bases, but Damian Espinoza came on to record the final outs and secure his first save of the season.
Valdez led the Unicorns’ offense, going 2-for-2 with a double and 3 RBIs. Schoeller added two hits and drove in two runs, while Kyle Williams scored twice at the top of the lineup.
Bruce Yamamoto (3-1) earned the win in relief, tossing two scoreless innings. Dylan McCall (0-1) took the loss for Eastside after allowing four unearned runs in 2.1 innings of work.
The Hoppers struck early, plating two runs in the first and another in the second thanks to RBIs from Wyatt Grant, Sam Schner, and Andrew Bergeron. They threatened again in the ninth, but came up just short despite a late rally fueled by a double from Bailey Martin and back-to-back singles from Schner and Grant.
Notable Performances:
- Andrew Valdez (UTI): 2-for-2, 2B, 3 RBIs, walk, run
- Chris Schoeller (UTI): 2-for-3, 2 RBIs, walk
- Kyle Williams (UTI): 1-for-3, 2 runs, 2 walks
- Bailey Martin (ESD): 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, walk
- Wyatt Grant (ESD): 2-for-5, 2 RBIs
- Bruce Yamamoto (UTI): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (Win)
- Damian Espinoza (UTI): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (Save)