UTICA, Mich. – The Eastside Diamond Hoppers (13-6) earned a hard-fought 5–2 win over the Utica Unicorns (9-9) Thursday night at Jimmy John’s Field, using timely hitting and a strong bullpen to seal the victory.
The Hoppers jumped out early in the top of the first inning. After Silas Butler reached on an error and stole second, Gio Ferraro walked and also swiped a bag. Andrew Bergeron came through with a two-RBI single to give the Hoppers an early 2–0 lead.
The Unicorns responded with single runs in the third and fourth innings. Andrew Valdez drove in Thomas Collins with a sacrifice fly, and Kyle Williams later delivered an RBI single to tie it at 2–2. But from there, the Hoppers’ bullpen locked it down.
Austin Baugh tossed two scoreless innings in relief to earn the win, Jacob Mead added two shutout frames, and Riley Bost closed the door in the ninth to pick up his fourth save of the season.
Bergeron continued his clutch night in the seventh with another RBI single, scoring Sam Schner to break the tie. Then in the ninth, Bergeron capped his night with a two-run double, giving him five RBIs in the game and putting the Hoppers up for good.
Notable Performers:
- Andrew Bergeron (EDH): 3-for-5, double, 5 RBIs
- Austin Baugh (EDH): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K (W, 2–0)
- Riley Bost (EDH): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R (Save, 4)
- Silas Butler (EDH): 2 R, SB
- Sam Schner (EDH): 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB, SB
- Andrew Valdez (UU): 2-for-3, RBI, 2 SB
- Kyle Williams (UU): 1-for-5, RBI
The post Bergeron Blasts Ahead: Five-RBI Night Fuels Hoppers Past Unicorns appeared first on United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPBL).
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