Posts by Alana Dackiw
Mud Hens Inch Closer to Playoffs
Toledo came alive early and never cooled off in Thursday’s showdown against Louisville. A flurry of hits in the opening innings set the tone as the Mud Hens took another big step toward a postseason berth.
Read MoreNothing Until the Seventh, Everything in the Ninth
The Toledo Mud Hens saved all their fireworks for the ninth inning Sunday night. After falling behind in the seventh, Toledo rallied late, and Kevin Newman’s walk-off single lifted the Hens to a 2-1 win over the St. Paul Saints at Fifth Third Field.
Read MoreKim Shines in Debut, but Eagles Fall in Season Opener at Texas State
Noah Kim’s 248-yard debut and Dontae McMillan’s 113 all-purpose yards highlighted Eastern Michigan’s season opener, as the Eagles showed flashes of promise in a 52-27 road loss at Texas State.
Read MoreDetroit’s Rising Goaltender: Sebastian Cossa
Detroit’s goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa has steadily compiled an impressive résumé. A 15th-overall pick in 2021 and a 2022 World Junior gold medalist, he has earned awards and standout stats at every level. In 2022–23 he dominated the ECHL, earning Goaltender of the Month in March and an All-Star selection. He followed that with a strong AHL campaign and even won his first NHL game in 2024. Such a résumé has begun to catch the eye of other NHL teams.
Read MoreLefty Reliever Drew Sommers to Make MLB Debut
After striking out nearly 28% of batters faced and holding lefties to a .165 average across Double-A and Triple-A, Drew Sommers has earned his call to the big leagues. The left-handed reliever will join the Tigers’ bullpen for his Major League debut Friday.
Read MoreClippers Fall Short in Series Finale Against Mud Hens
The Columbus Clippers, trailing by five runs early, mounted a comeback in the later innings. Travis Bazzana, batting second in the lineup, went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, contributing significantly to the rally. However, the Clippers left seven runners on base throughout the game, and their efforts fell short as they were unable to overcome the early deficit.
Read MoreMud Hens Secure Series Win, Inch Closer to Playoff Berth
The Mud Hens jumped to an early lead and held off a late Clippers rally to win the series. With the victory, Toledo strengthens its position atop the International League West, inching closer to a playoff berth.
Read MoreMud Hens Muscle Past Clippers with 7–2 Win on Tigers Night
The Toledo Mud Hens used clutch hitting and steady pitching to take down the Columbus Clippers, 7–2, Friday night at Fifth Third Field. Ryan Kreidler, Jace Jung, and Max Anderson powered the offense, while Troy Watson earned the win with five solid innings.
Read MoreFrom Surge to Heartbreak: Leprechauns’ Season Ends One Win Away from Postseason
The Royal Oak Leprechauns’ 2025 season was a mix of thrilling highs and gut-wrenching near misses. Under head coach Chris Faust, the team built momentum with late-season surges, explosive offensive nights, and standout performances from both veterans and newcomers. By early August, they were just a half-game out of a playoff spot, needing a strong finish to clinch their first postseason berth. But two costly home losses and a crushing pair of defeats on the road against Traverse City ended the dream, leaving them one win shy of hosting a playoff game. Despite the heartbreak, Royal Oak’s 35–37 finish showcased a team growing in confidence and firepower, setting the stage for a promising future.
Read MoreRoyal Oak’s Sudden Slugfest!
A rain-delayed blowout loss to Kenosha on August 2 looked like just another rough night for the Royal Oak Leprechauns—despite the fact it marked the first time in franchise history they’d hit more than one home run in a game. Thirty minutes later, everything changed. Royal Oak bounced back in Game 2 for a tight win, then exploded for a 12–7 victory the next day. Over the past two weeks, the Leprechauns have launched nearly half of their season’s home runs, fueled by offensive outbursts like a 20–10 thrashing of Battle Creek and a two-homer, grand slam night from Aidan Schuck in Kalamazoo. The sudden power surge has turned the Leprechauns from one of the league’s quietest offenses into one of its loudest.
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