The Cleburne Railroaders take three out of four from the Winnipeg Goldeyes to begin the 2025 campaign.
Cleburne TX – Opening night from La Moderna Field could not have been scripted any better. In an extra inning thriller, Aaron Altherr came to the plate in the bottom of the 10th trailing 5-4. With the tying run on second, Altherr blasted one out of the ballpark to left-center field to win it for the Railroaders.
The Winnipeg Goldeyes would take the second game of the series on Friday night 6-4 to ruin the first fireworks night of the season in Cleburne. However, the Roaders would come right back on Saturday night for a 5-2 win, led by a three run seventh inning.
It was Altherr who provided the go-ahead hit again, with an RBI single to right field for the 3-2 lead. Kyle Martin stepped up on the next pitch and drilled a two-run double down the right field line to extend the lead.
Sunday night was another nailbiter, but the Railroaders found another win 6-5 to take three out of four from the Goldeyes. Cooper Weiss had a clutch two-run single in the bottom of the sixth to take a 3-2 lead. The next frame, Anthony Brocato smoked a crucial two-run double down the line in left, which ended up being the difference in the series finale.
The pitching did its job all weekend long as well, holding Winnipeg to a .183 batting average. The staff allowed 18 runs over the four games and witnessed a solid start from the top four in the rotation that includes Gabe Klobosits, Blair Henley, Mike Shawaryn, and Kade Mechals.
The bullpen was led by Taylor Broadway, who retired nine of the ten batters he faced, and recorded the win on Saturday. Kristian Scott also pitched well twice, snagging the win on Thursday and a save on Saturday.
It’s a good start for the reigning Eastern Division champions, as they look to take their early success on the first road trip. The Railroaders play a six game series this week against the Gary Southshore Railcats in the U.S. Steel Yard.
