SPRINGFIELD, MO - The Springfield Cardinals took game one of the Texas League North Division Final in walk-off fashion 9-7. Jesús Báez launched the final pitch of the game in a see-saw battle at Route 66 Stadium.
W: Randel Clemente (1-0)
L: Carson Hobbs (0-1)
NOTES:
- Jack Gurevitch hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth. It was his first career postseason home run. Across three levels in 2026, he hit 32 homers.
- Báez gave Springfield their first lead of the postseason with an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth.
- Nolan Sparks fired two scoreless innings with two strikeouts out of the Springfield bullpen.
- Cade McGee tied the game with a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth.
- Randel Clemente fired two innings and struck out six after surrendering a home run.
- There were a combined seven home runs in game, three of which came from Springfield.
- The Cardinals are now one win away from a return to the Texas League Championship. In 2025, they swept Tulsa in two games to win the North Division, the same position they are now in once again.
UP NEXT:
- Thursday, September 17 at Tulsa Drillers, 6:30 PM, Game 2 of Texas League North Division Championship
- LHP Liam Doyle (7-7, 3.6) vs RHP Christian Zazueta (4-2, 3.44)
- Classic Rock 106.7, Bally Sports Live, SpringfieldCardinals.com