What is the biggest ninth-inning rally in baseball history?
Plenty of baseball fans were likely Googling for that answer Monday after an incredible, possibly unprecedented comeback in an NAIA playoff game.
Trevor Goodwin of Indiana University Southeast hit a three-run walk-off homer to defeat Indiana Tech, 14-11, in NAIA opening round action.
That walk-off moment was exciting enough, but consider this — it was the final blow in a 12-run rally that started with two outs.
You read that right — IU Southeast trailed 11-2, with two outs in the ninth, and won.
12 runs scored with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th… capped off by a 3-run walk-off homer. ⚾️💣🔥🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/EkeRv8VSae
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 13, 2024
It all started with an error with two outs. Goodwin singled in the first run of the rally a couple of batters later. The hits kept coming, along with another error and a bases-loaded walk, to fuel the incredible comeback.
To put the game in perspective, the biggest ninth-inning rally in MLB history is nine runs, by the Detroit Tigers against the Milwaukee Brewers. That happened all the way back in 1901. And all those runs didn’t score with two outs.
Anyone with a rooting interest in the game was obviously either thrilled or horrified, depending on which team they were pulling for, but even casual fans who stumbled across the results on social media were stunned and impressed.
This may be the most incredible and improbable comeback I’ve ever seen. In any sport. 12 runs scored all with 2 out in a playoff game, wow https://t.co/DP1A5zaHF9
— Vince Maughan (@vmaughan3) May 13, 2024
This team was losing 11-2, with TWO OUTS in the Bottom of the ninth, their last out..
NO BIGGIE…they scored 12 runs AFTER TWO OUTS to win it in a walkoff https://t.co/lKh2gCpEPV— Jose Merced (@josemerced) May 14, 2024
— Daniel McDonald (@Coach_DMcDonald) May 13, 2024
This is amazing. Just imagine being on the other side of this Loss… I would quit baseball. https://t.co/fFI0KHEvEQ
— Bill Ray (@Slickwilly22) May 13, 2024
Baseball is the best. Can’t just run out the clock. Every single out matters. https://t.co/oUOGkvK0eI
— Tyler Eaton (@tyeaton5) May 13, 2024
I have noted before that one of the things I love about baseball is that, on any given day, you might see something that you’ve never seen before.
I’m not sure that quite does this justice.
Box: https://t.co/E1NllWlg96 https://t.co/4a2POdfYtv
— Tony Miller (@tmiller2462) May 13, 2024
[NAIA Ball]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.