The Bourne Braves turned a disappointing loss from the night before into a celebration on July 4, edging the Gatemen 4‑3 in a walk‑off thriller that coincided with the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The decisive moment arrived in the ninth inning when Rustan Rigdon lined a single that brought home the winning run, capping a rally that began after Brice Estep drew a walk and Lee Ellis singled to start the comeback.
Key moments in the ninth inning
The Braves' bullpen responded with five consecutive scoreless innings, preserving the lead and preventing the Gatemen from answering back. The relief corps, featuring relievers such as Blake Schaaf and Garrett Michel, combined for a tight finish.
The win lifted Bourne to a tie for first place in the West division, underscoring the team’s resilience and setting up a highly anticipated matchup against the Commodores the following day.
Lee Ellis was named Player of the Game for his contributions at the plate and his role in igniting the rally that propelled the Braves to victory.