Bucciero walk-off lifts Lansing to fourth straight win

LANSING, Mich. – A Daniel Bucciero two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth plated pinch-runner Gunner Gouldsmith to complete a thrilling 6-5 comeback win for the Lansing Olive Burgers (16-22, 45-57) over the Lake County Captains (17-20, 54-47) on Thursday night at JacksonⓇ Field™.

Lansing has won four straight games and six consecutive home games.

“We talked to the team on Sunday morning, and I told the guys, ‘We have five more weeks left, I just want you guys to finish strong, but it's gotta start today.’ …  I don't wanna go home thinking, ‘Well, I could've done a little more,’” manager Javier Godard said. “I just told 'em, ‘When you guys go home, you left it all out.’"

DANIEL BUCCIERO WALKS IT OFF pic.twitter.com/y9c88Rss6S

— Lansing Lugnuts (@LansingLugnuts) August 7, 2026

A game of tug-of-war through the first seven innings left the game knotted at three runs apiece, leading to a dramatic finish.

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Jake Reinisch slugged his second home run of the series to center field, giving the Olive Burgers a 4-3 lead.

Anthony Martinez struck back with a two-out, two-run shot to right field in the top of the ninth off reliever Luis Carrasco, giving Lake County a 5-4 lead.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, 18-year-old Breyson Guedez notched his first RBI in High-A with an RBI single to right field off Captains reliever Logan McGuire, re-tying the game.

“That was the at-bat of the game in my opinion, because it's not easy when you're struggling a little bit, you come into a higher level, trying to get your feet wet, this is a little better pitching. … You could see a little bit of trying to do too much a little bit (in the game), but he came down to the wire and he did a good job when we needed him,” Godard said.

Gunner Gouldsmith pinch-ran for Guedez and moved to second on a walk to Ali Camarillo. On the next pitch, Bucciero lined the game-winner into center field, triggering a mob of his teammates and a pair of Gatorade showers. It was Lansing’s sixth walk-off of the season.

“It's always great to get a win, and obviously it's a little bit special when it's a walk-off, but it's just fun playing baseball when you got a little win streak going,” Bucciero said.

To help power the win, Olive Burgers starter Tucker Novotny tied his career high with six innings pitched, allowing three runs, seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts in his third start of the season.

“I feel like I'm kinda starting to find my groove now, now that I've had two under my belt (before today),” Novotny said. “And today went really well. Obviously a couple mistakes that I'll look back on with some regret, but other than that, felt very good tonight.”

Relievers Jose Dicochea and Ryan Brown combined for 1 ⅓ innings of relief before Carrasco recorded the final five outs.

On offense, eight Olive Burgers finished with at least one hit. Rodney Green, Jr. finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI in addition to two doubles, one of which was an automatic double in the fourth that scored Dylan Fien and C.J. Pittaro. Fien also went 2-for-4, scoring a run and knocking in Bucciero with an RBI single in the fourth.

Steven Echavarria is scheduled to face off against Lake County lefty Harrison Bodendorf on Friday. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for Backyard Baseball Night, with the first 1,000 fans receiving a free Pablo Sanchez hat. First pitch is set for 7:05, and LAFCU Fireworks are planned for after the game. For tickets and more information, call (517) 485-4500 or visit www.milb.com/lansing.

# # #