The Vermont Lake Monsters live to play more summer baseball.
After losing Game 1 and rallying on the road in Game 2, the Lake Monsters pulled off another impressive comeback on Thursday, Aug. 13, plating four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning capped by Thomas Moss' series-winning, walkoff single for a 5-4 triumph over the Worcester Bravehearts at Centennial Field.
The top-seeded Lake Monsters will now face the New Britain Bees in a best-of-three series for the 2026 Futures League championship. Game 1 is set for Friday, Aug. 14, at Centennial Field.
Vermont trailed by three runs to start the ninth and were just one out away from seeing their 2026 season come to an end. Then Vermont strung together three straight two-out, RBI hits, highlighted by Moss' game-winner.
Brad Johnston led off the ninth with a single, then Vermont loaded the bases. After a line out, Justin Yeutter brought home a pair of runs on a single. Jake Lopez followed with a run-scoring single to center. After a walk to load the bases, Moss delivered on a 1-2 pitch, a grounder in the hole at short to secure the series win.
In Wednesday's Game 2 at Worcester, Vermont overcame a 5-1 hole in the third inning. In the top of the ninth of a 6-6 game, Moss drilled a three-run homer to break the deadlock and return the series back to Burlington.
The Lake Monsters advance to the Futures League championship round for the fourth time. They won it all in 2021 and took runner-up honors in 2022 and 2023.
2026 FUTURES LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Vermont Lake Monsters vs. New Britain Bees
Friday, Aug. 14
Game 1: New Britain Bees at Vermont Lake Monsters, 6:35 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15
Game 2: Vermont Lake Monsters at New Britain Bees, 6:35 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16
Game 3 (if necessary): New Britain Bees at Vermont Lake Monsters, 5:05 p.m.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont Lake Monsters book Futures League championship berth on walkoff victory