Watch: Independent league team mistakenly celebrates title, eventually loses
So folks. Here's the scene when Wichita celebrated championship tonight at Shaw Park. (Before realizing umpire called balk). #wfp pic.twitter.com/xn9wF2dgvQ
— Mike McIntyre (@mikeoncrime) September 19, 2017
The Wichita Wingnuts, a team in the independent American Association, lost in heartbreaking fashion Monday night after thinking they had won their second-ever championship.
Leading 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Wichita closer Ryan Kussmaul induced what appeared to be the series-clinching play when Winnipeg Goldeyes second baseman Casey Turgeon grounded out to third. However, home-plate umpire Joe Stegner had called a balk on Kussmaul, and it wasn't until after the Wingnuts started celebrating that they realized glory was not yet theirs.
Turgeon tied things up on a two-out double, and the Goldeyes went on to win the game 4-3 in 17 innings to force a decisive Game 5 on Tuesday night.
Here's video of the walk-off 17th inning win at Shaw Park that keeps @Wpg_Goldeyes alive and forces Game 5 Tuesday night. #wfp pic.twitter.com/xqNYPUBDnO
— Mike McIntyre (@mikeoncrime) September 19, 2017
"I would be throwing up. I feel for them," Goldeyes manager Rick Forney told Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press postgame. "It's unfortunate. It can be tough."