Warriors Baseball Earns Improbably Comeback Victory
Scores six-runs in the 8th to steal a victory from the Buccaneers
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 1 |
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0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | X | 9 | 13 | 1 |
The Nelson Warriors' baseball team (9-18) authored the most thrilling come-from-behind victory of the young season yesterday, rallying from a 7-3 deficit heading into the bottom of the eighth inning only to rally with zero outs to stun the Park University Buccaneers 9-7 at home at Cortez High School.
The eighth inning began with a bang. Ethan Gustafson and Jimmy Holloway each singled up the middle, and Matthew Schulz battled back from an 0-2 count to draw a walk, loading the bases. Up next Brandon Ramirez stepped in and squared up the second pitch he saw, sending a rocket to right-center that started a merry-go-round. When the dust had settled, he bases were cleared and Ramirez, who finished 3-4 with 2 home runs, 5 RBI and 2 runs scored, was ruled safe at second on the throw, officially a single that sliced the deficit to 7-6 in one swing.
But the rally was far from over. Adrian Nunez, pinch-hitting for Shae Doree, came to the plate with one mission: find something to drive. On a 2-1 count, he launched the ball to the moon – some fans argue that the ball is still flying. And just like that, Nunez's towering home run gave Nelson an 8-7 lead, flipping the game in an instant.
Still with no outs, Josue Franco Jr. kept the fire burning with a single up the middle. After a pitching change, Aaron Bazan grounded to the mound, but the Buccaneers' pitcher flubbed the throw, allowing Bazan to reach second and Franco to advance to third. On the very next pitch, Gerardo Paco swung hard and lofted a deep fly to left field, plenty deep to drive in Franco for an insurance run and a 9-7 cushion.
Esteban Acevedo closed the door in the top of the ninth, retiring the Buccaneers in order to seal the improbable comeback win, and earning his first victory, to zero losses, on the season.
Gerardo Paco, Sam Hess, Jimmy Holloway, and Josue Franco Jr. each finished with two hits.
The victory was the Warriors' fourth straight, including a three-game sweep of the Nobel Knights, and the perfect outcome as the club headed into a week-long break.
See the Nelson Warriors' baseball page for their upcoming schedule.
Do not forget to follow Nelson Athletics on X at @NelsonWarriors and Instagram at @nelsonwarriors.athletics.