Backus' Passed Ball Walk-Off Caps Three-Run Comeback as Bird Dawgs Win Third Straight

Published on August 2, 2026 under National Association (NA)
Down East Bird Dawgs News Release

KINSTON, N.C. - Colby Backus scored on a passed ball in the tenth inning to cap a dramatic comeback as the Down East Bird Dawgs walked off the Tri-City ValleyCats 9-8 at Historic Grainger Stadium Sunday afternoon, winning their third consecutive game and heading into a two-week road trip with momentum at 31-41.

Tri-City jumped out to a 3-0 lead on an RJ Stinson leadoff homer in the first and two more runs in the second on a Kyle Caccamise RBI triple and an error.

The Bird Dawgs chipped away with a Tyler Blaum RBI single in the second and a Trey Law wild pitch score in the third to cut it to 3-2 before a Kai Moody two-run homer in the fifth pushed the lead back to 5-2.

Down East answered with four runs in the bottom half as Stephen DiTomaso singled in a run, Ali LaPread doubled home another, Jacob Corson added an RBI groundout, and Backus singled in a run to take a 6-5 lead.

Backus then launched a two-run homer in the seventh to push the advantage to 8-5 before Stinson's two-run single pulled the ValleyCats within one at 8-7.

Tri-City tied it in the ninth on an Ian Walters RBI double before Backus scored the walk-off run on a passed ball in the tenth to set the final at 9-8.

Wes Albert went five innings against his former team, allowing five runs - four earned - on nine hits with one walk and one strikeout.

Jack Hagan (3-2) earned the win, tossing 1â..." scoreless innings on one hit with one walk and one strikeout.

Quinn Hocom started for Tri-City, allowing a run before exiting with an injury after one inning. Wyatt Cameron (0-2) took the loss, retiring two quick outs in the tenth before the walk-off passed ball.

The Bird Dawgs (31-41) head into a two-week road trip beginning Tuesday, August 4, at 7:05 p.m. ET against the Washington Wild Things at EQT Park in Washington, Pa.

To stay updated on upcoming events, announcements, and promotions, visit www.DownEastBirdDawgs.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

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National Association Stories from August 2, 2026

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• Boomers Clipped in Finale at Mississippi - Schaumburg Boomers
• Bolts Get Walk-Off Win as Part of Doubleheader Split - Windy City ThunderBolts
• Backus' Passed Ball Walk-Off Caps Three-Run Comeback as Bird Dawgs Win Third Straight - Down East Bird Dawgs
• ValleyCats Split Series with Bird Dawgs - Tri-City ValleyCats
• Otters Split Doubleheader, Series with 'Bolts - Evansville Otters
• Comeback Falls 90 Feet Short in Ninth, Things Drop Finale - Washington Wild Things
• Grizzlies Swept in Doubleheader, Series by Florence - Gateway Grizzlies
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• Miners Complete Sweep, Within Three Games of Playoff Spot - Sussex County Miners
• Crushers End Longest Road Trip of 2026 in Defeat - Lake Erie Crushers
• Titans and Rox Washed Away, Doubleheader TBD this Week in Brockton - Ottawa Titans
• Slammers Survive Scare against Boulders to Win Series in Two Games - Joliet Slammers

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