Danville’s Callahan lifts Otterbots to walk-off win in sudden death

Michael Callahan’s RBI single in sudden death lifted the Danville Otterbots to a walk-off win over the Burlington Sock Puppets Thursday night in Appalachian League action at Burlington Athletic Stadium…

PHOTO: Brian Cendejas.

Michael Callahan’s RBI single in extra frames lifted the Danville Otterbots to a walk-off win over the Burlington Sock Puppets Thursday night in Appalachian League action at Burlington Athletic Stadium.

Danville (13–9) started the extra frame with Maximo Martinez (Southern California) on first base as a courtesy runner per Major League Baseball (MLB) extra-inning rules. Jordan Jacob (Pittsburgh) smacked a one-out single to get Martinez over to second and Callahan (Missouri State) followed moments later with a base knock that split the gap in left-centerfield to score Martinez with the walk-off win.

The thrilling finish was set up by an Otterbots’ rally in the top of the seventh inning. Brody Jindra knotted the score with his triple to center that scored Tyler Ness (McLennan CC) and Kyle Krupp (Morehead State) to knot the score at 4–4. Devon Wilkes (Cal State Bakersfield) continued swinging a big stick with is RBI single to center that gave the ‘Bots a 5–4 lead.

Burlington (10–11) didn’t let Danville hold the momentum too long, knotting the score at 5–5 when Deacon Pomeroy (Oklahoma State) scored on a double play ball in the bottom of the seventh.

The Sock Puppets delivered the opening blow, taking a 1–0 lead on Braden Maranto’s RBI bases-loaded walk. Burlington struck again in the bottom of the fifth, hanging a crooked three spot on the board for a four-run lead. Pomeroy started things off with his two-run single and Jack Beck capped the rally moments later when he scored on a wild pitch for a 4–0 lead.

For the second straight night, Wilkes smacked a two-run home run that got the Otterbots on the board and trimmed their deficit to 4–2 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.

Wilkes paced Danville with three RBI while Jindra drove in two runs for the ‘Bots.

Pomeroy led Burlington with two RBI while Maranto (Southern Mississippi) recorded one as well.

Danville returns to action tonight when it hosts Burlington at 7 p.m. Postgame fireworks will follow.