TROY, N.Y. (August 30, 2026) – Kenny Levari's go-ahead infield single in the ninth inning — the 1,000th hit of the Bird Dawgs' season, breaking a Frontier League record previously held by the 2005 Washington Wild Things — capped a wild finish and lifted Down East to a 9-8 victory over the Tri-City ValleyCats at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium Sunday afternoon, splitting the six-game series and wrapping up the road schedule at 20-31.

Trotter Harlan launched his first homer of the season, a two-run shot in the third, before Kalae Harrison and Juan Garcia each doubled in a run and Ali LaPread added a sacrifice fly to stake the Bird Dawgs to a 5-0 lead.

Dylan Broderick answered with a grand slam in the bottom of the third to cut it to 5-4 before adding a two-run homer in the fifth to give Tri-City a 6-5 lead.

Down East reclaimed the advantage in the sixth as Lyle Miller-Green and Colby Backus each doubled in a run and Yeniel Laboy added a sacrifice fly to go up 8-6.

The ValleyCats inched back on a Max Mandler RBI single in the seventh and tied it in the eighth on a Stinson sacrifice fly and a controversial play at the plate that led to Bird Dawgs field manager Brett Wellman being ejected.

Levari's go-ahead infield single in the ninth — which prompted Tri-City field manager Greg Tagert's ejection following another close play at home — provided the winning margin as Duncan closed it out with two runners stranded to collect his ninth save.

Wes Albert started against his former team, allowing six runs on seven hits over 4⅓ innings with four strikeouts and three walks. Spencer Johnston (5-2) earned the win, allowing two runs on three hits over three innings with one walk. Tanner Duncan collected his ninth save, allowing two hits but stranding both runners with a strikeout in the ninth.

Andrew Armstrong started for Tri-City, tossing two scoreless innings on no hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Brayhans Barreto (1-5) took the loss, surrendering one run on four hits over 1⅔ innings with one strikeout and one walk.

The Bird Dawgs (45-51) return home to Historic Grainger Stadium for the final homestand of the 2026 season.