Mariners 2, Joes 4
Hamilton Joes 4, Grand Lake Mariners 2 — July 24, 2026 (Foundation Field)
The Hamilton Joes used a decisive three-run fifth inning to erase an early deficit and beat the Grand Lake Mariners, 4–2, Friday night at Foundation Field.
Grand Lake struck first in the top of the first, stringing together two RBI singles to jump ahead 2–0. Forrest Day opened the scoring with a single to center that brought home CJ Filipek, and Luke Wildes followed with another base hit to center to score Matthew Hutchinson. Despite the quick start, the Mariners couldn't add on, finishing the night with six hits but going 0-for-? in key spots and leaving nine runners on base while striking out 13 times.
Hamilton answered immediately in the bottom of the first when Owen McKoon lined an RBI single to right to cut the deficit to 2–1. From there, the game settled into a pitching-and-defense rhythm until the Joes broke through in the fifth.
With traffic on the bases, AJ Gundler tied the game at 2–2 with a single to left that scored Gavin Brewer. Moments later, Parker Falkenstein delivered the biggest swing of the night, ripping a two-run double to left to bring home Noah Kubasky and Preston Zumwalt and put Hamilton in front for good, 4–2.
Hamilton's bullpen made the lead stand. Starter Hudson Boring earned the win (1–0) after four innings, allowing two runs while striking out six. Carter Williamson and Nik Copenhaver combined for three scoreless frames, and Noah Kubasky closed the door with a two-inning save (1), working around two walks and striking out three.
For Grand Lake, Jack Will took the loss (0–1), charged with three runs over four innings. Reliever Cournell Bennett McCoy kept the Mariners within striking distance with four strong innings (7 strikeouts, 1 run), but the offense couldn't solve Hamilton's late relief.
Notables
- Grand Lake: CJ Filipek went 2-for-4 with a double and scored; Day and Wildes drove in the two runs.
- Hamilton: Falkenstein's 2-RBI double was the difference; McKoon and Gundler added RBI singles.
- Final: Hamilton 4 runs on 6 hits; Grand Lake 2 runs on 6 hits. No errors.
- Attendance: 462 | Time: 2:40