UTICA, Mich. – May 17, 2025 — The Eastside Diamond Hoppers (2-0) kicked off their 2025 USPBL campaign in dominant fashion on Saturday, sweeping a doubleheader against the Westside Woolly Mammoths (0-2) at Jimmy John’s Field. A sudden victory breakthrough secured a 1–0 win in Game 1, followed by an offensive eruption in a 10–1 rout in Game 2.
Game 1: Bergeron’s Sudden Victory RBI Pushes Hoppers Over Mammoths
In a tightly contested pitchers’ duel, the Hoppers scratched across the game’s only run in sudden victory to claim a 1–0 victory. With Jorge Gonzalez starting the inning on second base under the extra-inning tiebreaker rule, Andrew Bergeron delivered a clutch RBI single to bring him home. The Hoppers had managed just two hits before that decisive extra half inning, but made their opportunity count.
The bullpen was lights-out, with four Hoppers pitchers combining for a one-hit shutout. Riley Bost (1-0) earned the win with a clean sixth inning, while starter Pierce Banks tossed three innings of one-hit ball. Cole Garrett and Brendan Moran added scoreless frames to preserve the tie in regular innings.
The Mammoths’ only hit came off the bat of Jack Hay in the second inning. Despite drawing seven walks, they were unable to capitalize, leaving seven runners on base. Reliever Jacob Almon (0-1) was tagged with the loss after giving up the winning run without recording an out.
The sudden victory format is as follows: a coin toss will take place at home plate between the managers of both teams. The home team will call their selection as the umpire tosses the coin. The winner of the coin toss will select whether they will take the field defensively or bat in the inning. The team at bat will remain the same batting order as the previous inning with the hitter making the last out placed at first base. If the team scores a run, they win. If they are held scoreless, the victory goes to the team on defense.
Game 2: Ferraro Drives in Five to Seal the Sweep
Game 2 saw a complete offensive turnaround as the Hoppers rolled to a 10–1 win, led by shortstop Gio Ferraro’s standout performance. Ferraro went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, and five RBIs, including a three-run triple in a decisive four-run fourth inning.
The Hoppers jumped ahead early with Ferraro’s RBI double in the first, then broke the game open with seven runs across the third and fourth innings. Wyatt Grant added a two-run double, while Marcus Judd chipped in three hits and two runs scored. Bailey Martin reached base three times and scored three runs.
On the mound, Harry Orth (1-0) earned the win, striking out four across three shutout innings. Relievers Jaylen Smith, Zachary Malone, and Carson Bassett combined to limit the Mammoths to one run on four hits over the final three frames.
The Mammoths’ only offense came on a fourth-inning RBI single by Tommy Stevenson. They were held to five hits in the contest and committed a key error in the fifth that extended the Hoppers’ rally.
The post Hoppers Sweep Opening Day Doubleheader Behind Stellar Pitching, Ferraro’s Firepower appeared first on United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPBL).
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