Comeback Win for the Ages

The Newport Gulls pulled off one of their most thrilling victories of the 2026 season on Wednesday night, storming back from a deficit as large as 5 to defeat the Valley Blue Sox 12-11 in walk-off fashion at Cardines Field.

Valley wasted no time jumping ahead, plating two runs in the opening inning before Caeden Cloud (Kentucky University) answered immediately with a solo home run to right-center, cutting the deficit to one. The Blue Sox added another run in the second, but Newport responded once again as Devan Zirwas (Eastern Michigan U) ripped an RBI double before Cloud drove him home with a double of his own, evening the score at 3-3.

The visitors reclaimed control in the third, breaking the tie with a three-run double from Nico Soul before adding single runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to build an 8-4 advantage. Braxton Tramel (East Carolina U) and Cole Johnson (Austin Peay) each collected RBI hits during that stretch to keep the Gulls within striking distance, but Valley appeared to seize command after extending its lead to 10-5 in the seventh.

However, Newport just refused to go quietly.

In the bottom half of the inning The Gulls loaded the bases and capitalized on Valley's control issues on the mound. RBI free passes from Devan Zirwas and Caeden Cloud, followed by a hit-by-pitch to Cade Brown (Ga. Tech), trimmed the deficit to just two runs entering the final two innings.

After Valley tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth, Newport faced an 11-8 deficit with three outs remaining. The comeback began with another bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, forcing home Devan Zirwas to make it 11-9. Moments later, pinch hitter Brandon Larson (USC) stepped to the plate and delivered the biggest swing of the night, drilling a bases-clearing double into the right-center field gap. Cade Brown, Ryan Novak (Miami Ohio), and Tramel all crossed the plate as Larson raced into second, completing an improbable four-run rally and sending the Cardines Field crowd into pandemonium.

Cloud finished 3-for-5 just shy of the cycle with a home run, double, single, three RBIs, and a walk, while Zirwas reached base four times and drove in two runs. Larson's lone hit proved to be the difference, knocking in the game-winning three runs. Braden Booth (Mississippi State) earned the victory out of the bullpen after recording the final five outs, sealing Newport's fourth consecutive win in dramatic fashion.