RICHMOND, Ind. —The Richmond Flying Mummies erased a three-run deficit Monday night, scoring twice in the seventh, once in the eighth, and once in the ninth to walk off the Rockford Rivets 4-3 at Don McBride Stadium.

Richmond trailed 3-0 entering the bottom of the seventh before stringing together timely at-bats and aggressive baserunning to complete the comeback. The Mummies finished with eight hits and eight walks, overcoming an early hole created by Rockford’s lone big swing and a steady offensive grind.

Lucas Valencia turned in a competitive second start of the season, working five innings and allowing three runs on six hits while striking out eight. He gave Richmond a chance to stay within striking distance, mixing swing-and-miss strikeouts with moments of traffic management that ultimately limited further damage.

The Rockford offense did its damage in the third on a solo home run from Davis Collie and again in the fifth during a two-run frame that pushed the Rivets ahead 3-0. Valencia battled through each inning, consistently generating strikeouts to keep the game from fully breaking open.

Richmond’s bullpen again stabilized the game. Elias Murdock delivered two scoreless innings, working around a pair of walks while keeping Rockford off the board. Casey Blevins followed with two more scoreless frames, allowing just one walk while helping carry the game into the late innings.

The comeback began in the seventh when Trenton Lombardo reached to spark the inning, followed by Weston Mazey drawing a walk. After Caden Fahy moved runners with a ground ball and Drew Phillips was hit by a pitch, Jackson Thomas delivered the breakthrough moment, lining a two-run single to center to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The pressure continued in the eighth. Eli Bennett doubled to right and eventually came around during a chaotic sequence that included a wild pitch and aggressive baserunning, tying the game at 3-3 and shifting momentum firmly to Richmond’s side.

The ninth inning sealed it. Pinch hitter Colton Sims worked a walk and was replaced by Eric Harper, who immediately stole second. After Rockford intentionally walked Landen Fry, Bennett delivered again with an infield single to load the bases. One batter later, Jackson Cliatt lined a single into right field to bring Harper home and complete the walk-off win.

Bennett powered the offense with a 4-for-5 night, including a double and multiple key run-scoring contributions. Thomas drove in two runs during the pivotal seventh inning, while Cliatt delivered the game-winner. Lombardo reached base three times and scored the first run of the rally as Richmond continued to apply pressure late.

Richmond now carries momentum into the first game of the second half of the season. They play the Rivets yet again, this time traveling to Rockford Stadium for the matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM CT.

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The Richmond Flying Mummies are a proud member of the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 410 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion and Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (BAL) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM). League games are viewable live on FloSports.tv.