Railroaders fall in division series to end historic season

Cleburne loses games two and three at home after taking game-one on the road

CLEBURNE and CHICAGO — After finishing the regular season with the best record in the league, the Cleburne Railroaders lost to the Chicago Dogs in the East Division Series for the second straight year.

Chicago (55-45 in the regular season) beat Cleburne (60-40) two games to one in the best-of-three opening round of the 2024 Wolff Cup Playoffs. Cleburne lost games two and three in Cleburne after winning game-one in Chicago.

The American Association’s best regular-season team, the Railroaders had reason for optimism entering the 2024 Wolff Cup Playoffs matched up with a familiar foe, division-rival Chicago—who Cleburne beat eight times in 12 regular-season games in 2024. 

The reasons for optimism grew when Cleburne won game-one 6-3 Wednesday in Chicago behind a good performance from starting pitcher Johnathon Tripp.

Tripp (7-2) pitched five innings and surrendered three runs off six hits and a walk in the game-one victory at Impact Field.

Shed Long went 3-for-5 with a solo shot in the ninth in game-one. 

Korey Holland and Bret Boswell both had multiple hits in game-one, Holland with two doubles.

With a chance to win the series at home, the Railroaders failed to score a run as they lost game-two 4-0 Friday at La Moderna Field.

Chicago pitcher Connor Curlis (1-0) pitched five shutout innings in game-two.

Cleburne’s starter Luke Boyd (7-3) lasted three innings and allowed three runs off seven hits in the game-two loss.

Korey Holland had another multi-hit game in game-two.

Cleburne lost the series-deciding game-three 3-1 Saturday at La Moderna Field after losing the lead in the eighth inning.

Jesus Jujano gave Cleburne the lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the third, but that would be the only offense for Cleburne in game-three outside of a couple of hits from Carter Aldrete. 

Chicago scored two runs off three hits in the eighth after Cleburne pulled starter Caleb Smith after he pitched six shutout innings.

While it was a disappointing ending to the season, it was a pleasure covering this exciting lineup all year. 

Play-by-play announcer Brad Allred was right when he told us at the beginning of the season that this team was going to make some noise this season. The Railroaders grabbed the league’s best record for the first time in club history while making the postseason for the third straight season. 

The Railroaders have cemented themselves as regular championship contenders in the American Association.