Late inning comeback lifts ETSU over Villanova in walk-off fashion

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — Friday afternoon was a day ready for a comeback in Johnson City.

Going into the bottom of the seventh inning, the ETSU Bucs were staring at an 11-5 deficit on a day where they had already overcome a three-run deficit earlier in the game.

But that was no problem for the Buccaneers who have thrived on their home diamond early in the 2024 season.

After a bases loaded walk and a wild pitch helped the Bucs walk two runs across the plate to cut into the gap, a Cameron Sisneros sacrifice fly brought in another run to make it 11-8. Then, a Cody Miller single scored Jamie Palmese and Nick Innantone to suddenly make it a one-run game before heading to the eighth inning.

In the bottom half of the eighth, Noah Webb lifted a ball over the wall to tie things up in a high scoring affair – ultimately leading to the Bucs’ chance to win it.

After the Bucs bullpen put up another zero on the board in the top half of the ninth, it was time for late game magic to open the three-game series. And it happened off of the bat of Cody Miller.

Miller, who drove in two in the seventh to pull within one, became the hero in the ninth with an RBI single to score Brogan Jones as the Bucs celebrated the walk-off win over the Wildcats.

Noah Webb led the day offensively with a big 4-5 day from the dish and 2 RBIs, followed by the hero Miller, who went 3-6 with 4 RBIs. Innantone and Sisneros each added multi-hit days, as well to help the Bucs.

On the mound, Derek McCarley picked up his third win of the season after tossing the scoreless top of the ninth.

The Bucs and Wildcats will resume their three-game set on Saturday at 2 pm as the Bucs look to win its fourth series of the season. The (13-4) start for ETSU is its best since the 2019 season.