Infielder launches game-winner on the first pitch following a rain delay
*Cover Photo Credit: John Topoleski
The Aberdeen Ironbirds had already secured a series win against the Brooklyn Cyclones on yesterday with an 8-2 win. So their walk-off dramatics today was the perfect touch of icing on the cake to end the series.
Perhaps all they needed to boost the victory was some luck from the rainy skies.
Tavian Josenberger was about to step into the batter's box in the bottom of the ninth when the umpires called for a rain delay. At the time, the Ironbirds were down 10-8. They were down to their final out and they had runners on first and second with Josenberger as their final hope.
The rain delay lasted a brief 19 minutes and soon after, the game resumed with the Cyclones making a pitching change by bringing in Joshua Cornielly. The Ironbirds runners returned to their respective bases, and Josenberger once again stepped into the box. They were still behind 10-8.
It was already hot and muggy day with temperatures not far off from 90 degrees. Even though Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium has the Ironbirds play on a turf surface, the rain still made playing conditions difficult and perhaps even more humid.
Josenberger stepped in and wasted no time, as he swung at the first pitch he saw with a "let's go home" mentality and got that result. The 22-year-old sent a fastball long and deep past the Ironbirds' clubhouse for a massive, come-from-behind, walk-off 3-run Earl Weaver to win the game for Aberdeen. Josenberger's teammates greeted him at home plate with a Gatorade shower as the Ironbirds celebrated a tremendous 5-1 series win and a clutch, comeback victory infront of the home crowd.

It would make sense that Josenberger was fresh and ready-to-go with a swing like that, as he had just been activated off the injured list prior to the game, and this was his firsrt game back. Though that home run was just his only hit on the day in five at-bats, it will go down as one of the more memorable moments of the Ironbirds' 2024 season.
The Ironbirds' offense has had a knack lately for comeback heroics, and Josenberger's massive home run was a continuation of the team sending the rest of the South Atlantic League a message. Do not ever give up on the Aberdeen Ironbirds until all 27 outs are made.
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