Schunk Blasts Walk-Off Homer for Yard Goats

Final: Hartford 7, Portland 5

WP: Jared Biddy (3-1)

LP: Ryan Fernandez (1-1)

T- 2:47

A- 6,967

Hartford, Conn - Aaron Schunk cracked a walk-off, three-run homer in the bottom of the tenth inning, as the Hartford Yard Goats beat the Portland Sea Dogs 7-5 in front of the eighth straight sellout crowd Saturday night at Dunkin' Donuts Park. Down two runs in the extra innings, the Yard Goats rallied with three hits in the tenth, capped off by Schunk's majestic blast into the centerfield seats. Yard Goats pitching struck out a season-high 18 batters in the win, and starter Noah Davis struck out 10 Sea Dogs through six innings. Kyle Datres tallied two more hits for Hartford, extending his hitting streak to 12 games.

Portland jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI double by Hudson Potts off Hartford's starter, Noah Davis. The Yard Goats tied up the game in the second when Michael Toglia blasted a solo shot to the right field porch seats off Portland's starter, Brian Van Belle. The switch-hitter's 20th longball of the season tied up the game 1-1.

The Red Sox affiliate grabbed the lead in the fifth on a two-run homer by Christian Koss. The Yard Goats responded in the bottom of the frame when Isaac Collins lined an RBI single to score Brenton Doyle. Hartford's second baseman cut Portland's lead to 3-2.

Noah Davis struck out a season-high 10 batters over six innings for the Yard Goats. Hartford's bats tied up the ballgame 3-3 in the sixth. Kyle Datres stepped up and cracked a solo homer to right field off Van Belle. The blast was the eighth of the season for Datres, extending his hitting streak to 12 games.

Jared Biddy struck out two batters in the top of the 10th for the Yard Goats. With the punchouts, Hartford rang up a season-high 18 batters. Down 5-3 going to the bottom of the tenth, the Yard Goats began their comeback on an RBI single by Datres. Grant Lavigne singled to right, moving the tying run to second, and getting the winning run on base. Aaron Schunk stepped up and launched a game-winning, walk-off, three-run homer to left center field, winning the game for the Yard Goats.

The Yard Goats wrap up their homestand against the Red Sox affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs, on Sunday afternoon at 1:05. LHP Nick Bush will start for the Yard Goats and RHP Bryan Mata will start for the Sea Dogs. The game will be broadcasted on Newsradio 1410 WPOP.