The thrill of a walk-off win

Posted on by Dan

Last weekend, I left Bill Clarke Field a few innings before Princeton scored a walk-off win against Harvard. On Saturday, I got a second chance, as Princeton defeated Penn with a walk-off 3-2 victory.

With the score 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Jake Kernodle hit a grounder to the Penn second baseman, who bobbled it. Kernodle crossed the bag ahead of the throw to first. Meantime, Jake Koonin motored into home ahead of the throw from Penn’s first baseman, scoring the winning run and igniting a wild celebration by the Tigers.

This story is better told in photos, so here are a few.

Batter leaving the batter's box toward first base.
Jake Kernodle puts the ball in play, a grounder to second base.
Runner reaching first base as the first baseman reaches for the throw.
Kernodle lands on first ahead of the throw.
Princeton players rush the field, whooping and hollering.
Princeton players burst from the dugout.
Princeton player spreads arms to welcome teammates in short right field.
Kernodle waits for his teammates to arrive while a Penn player bends over at realization of the loss.
One player grabs Kernodle with a second one close behind.
Caden Shapiro (41) and Jordan Kelly reach Kernodle.
Players leap onto the batter.
Players leap onto Kernodle.
More players mob the batter.
More players mob Kernodle.
Exiting the field, batsman gets a hand slap from a teammate.
Another player congratulates Kernodle as he walks off the field.

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Published by Dan

University media executive by day, blogger by night, I am a well-traveled resident of New Jersey