The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are champions once again. On Wednesday night at UPMC Park, Binghamton defeated the Erie SeaWolves 8–2 in Game 3 of the Eastern League Championship Series to claim their fourth league title in franchise history, and their first since 2014 … a long-awaited first championship win since the team rebranded to be called today’s endearing “Rumble Ponies.”
Starting off on the wrong foot against the SeaWolves, the Rumble bounced back with two straight wins to secure the championship. It capped off a record-breaking year in which Binghamton won both halves of the Northeast Division, set a new franchise record with 90 regular-season victories, and finished with the best overall record in Double-A baseball.
The 90-win season put the Rumble Ponies in rare company. Along with West Michigan (Detroit’s High-A affiliate), they were the only other Minor League club to deliver a stellar performance in 2025. To put their success in proper perspective, they became the first Eastern League team since 2017 to notch 90 victories, and only the second since 2005.
Here are some details of the winning game. Game 3 turned in the sixth inning with the score tied at 2–2. Jacob Reimer led off the frame with a first-pitch solo home run to right field off left-hander Andrew Sears, giving the Rumble Ponies the lead back. After a single by D’Andre Smith, the SeaWolves went to the bullpen, but catcher Chris Suero made them pay, hitting a two-run homer that pushed the lead to 5–2.
That was more than enough support for starter Jack Wenninger (2–0), who outperformed himself on the mound. Wenninger struck out 11 batters across five innings, allowing just two runs on three hits. Ten of his strikeouts came in the first four innings, and he matched his season-high strikeout total, which he last reached on July 6 against Hartford.
The rest of the path to victory flowed smoothly. Joander Suarez handled the sixth, working around a two-out double. TJ Shook ran into trouble in the seventh with two hits to start the inning, but he struck out two and stranded runners on second and third. Carlos Guzman finished it off, earning a six-out save, his first of the postseason.
And “just to make sure,” in the ninth inning, Smith delivered a two-run single, and Suero brought home another run with a sacrifice fly to make it 8–2. Smith had a big night at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Suero also shined, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI.
Binghamton’s lineup showed balance throughout. Wyatt Young doubled twice and hit .533 in the postseason, including .636 in the Championship Series. Ewing went 2-for-5 with a run scored, while designated hitter Nick Lorusso added two singles.
Much of the year’s success came from a young core of top prospects. Shortstop Jett Williams (No. 29 overall prospect), pitcher Jonah Tong (No. 43), and outfielder Ryan Clifford each had standout years. Williams stole 32 bases and posted an .867 OPS across 96 games, earning him the Eastern League’s Top MLB Prospect award. Tong, who was a finalist for MLB’s Pitching Prospect of the Year, was named the league’s Pitcher of the Year after striking out 162 batters with a 1.59 ERA in Double-A. Clifford led all Mets with 29 home runs, 24 of them at Binghamton, and was an Eastern League All-Star.
Overall, for the Rumble Ponies, this title joins their previous championships in 1992, 1994, and 2014. It’s a splashing end to a season where they shined throughout, showing amazing levels of consistency and perseverance, starting all the way back from the first pitch in April to the final out in Erie.
The Rumble Ponies will look to defend their crown when the 2026 regular season, scheduled to begin on April 3 against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Delta Dental Stadium.
Stomp all over them Rumble Ponies!
Sources:
Binghamton Wins 2025 Eastern League Championship with Game 3 Win at Erie
Rumble Ponies capture Eastern League title with 8-2 win over Erie
Mets' Double-A affiliate caps historic season with Eastern League title
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