HARTFORD, Conn., May 3, 2025 — The Hartford Yard Goats defeated the Chesapeake Baysox 8-7 in a 10-inning Eastern League game on May 2, 2025, at Dunkin’ Park, with Jose Cordova’s two-run homer sealing the walk-off victory. The loss dropped the Baysox (11-14, 5th in EAS Southwest) to their fourth straight defeat, while the Yard Goats (16-8, 1st in EAS Northeast) extended their series dominance.
The game, attended by 6,342 fans under clear 76-degree weather, began at 7:13 p.m. and lasted 3 hours, 14 minutes. Creed Willems powered the Baysox with two home runs, including a game-tying solo shot in the ninth, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Noelberth Romero’s solo homer in the fifth and RBI single in the 10th, along with Anthony Servideo’s two-run single in the sixth, kept Chesapeake competitive. Hartford’s Cole Carrigg drove in two runs, and Cordova’s homer off Preston Johnson (L, 1-2) in the 10th clinched the win for Collin Baumgartner (W, 1-1).
Hartford jumped ahead 2-0 in the third when Bryant Betancourt’s two-run double scored Nic Kent and Benny Montgomery. The Baysox responded in the fifth with Romero’s homer, narrowing the gap to 2-1. In the sixth, Servideo’s single scored Douglas Hodo III and Tavian Josenberger, giving Chesapeake a 3-2 lead. Hartford surged back in the same inning, with GJ Hill’s RBI double and Carrigg’s two-run single, plus an additional run on Montgomery’s single, building a 6-3 lead.
Willems’ two-run homer in the seventh, scoring Frederick Bencosme, cut Hartford’s lead to 6-5. His ninth-inning homer tied the game at 6-6, forcing extra innings. In the 10th, Romero’s single scored Servideo, giving the Baysox a 7-6 edge. However, Cordova’s homer in the bottom half, scoring automatic runner Juan Guerrero, ended the game.
The Baysox outhit Hartford 12-10, with Hodo going 2-for-4 with a double and Romero 2-for-5. Chesapeake left 10 runners on base, going 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Hartford capitalized on five walks and two hit-by-pitches, going 5-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Baysox starter Levi Wells pitched four innings, allowing two runs on three hits, while Hartford’s Jack Mahoney gave up one run over 4.2 innings.
Defensively, both teams were error-free, but outfield assists by Chesapeake’s Luis Valdez and Hodo, and Hartford’s Guerrero, impacted base runners. Josenberger stole a base, and Kent stole one for Hartford. The Baysox’s bullpen struggled, with Edgar Portes allowing two runs in 2.1 innings, and Johnson surrendering the decisive homer.
The Eastern League, a Double-A affiliate level, features prospects like Baysox’s Willems and Hartford’s Cordova, who are developing for the Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies, respectively. The Baysox, now 11-14, have lost eight of their last 11 games, while Hartford’s 16-8 record reflects their strong April performance.
Fans can follow the Baysox at and the Yard Goats at . The teams face off again on May 3, 2025, at Dunkin’ Park, with first pitch at 6:00 p.m.
