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Richmond drops tight game on walk-off homer

Squirrels rally in seventh, lose in ninth inning at Erie
August 30, 2024

ERIE, Pa. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels battled from behind but lost to the Erie SeaWolves, 5-4, on a walk-off homer by Gage Workman in the ninth inning.

ERIE, Pa. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels battled from behind but lost to the Erie SeaWolves, 5-4, on a walk-off homer by Gage Workman in the ninth inning.

The Flying Squirrels (56-68, 21-33) were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention with the loss to the SeaWolves (69-52, 31-23), officially ending a run for a third straight appearance in the Eastern League playoffs.

Richmond jumped ahead, 3-0, in the top of the third inning. Diego Velasquez hit an RBI single, Matt Higgins brought home a run with a sacrifice fly and Velasquez scored on a wild pitch.

The SeaWolves closed the score to 3-1 with an RBI single by Eliezer Alfonzo in the bottom of the fourth inning.

In the fifth, Erie scored three runs to take a 4-3 lead. Ben Malgeri hit a two-run double to tie the score and Alfonso hit a go-ahead single.

A fielder’s choice hit into by Higgins brought in Turner Hill to score in the seventh inning to even the score, 5-5.

Former Flying Squirrels pitcher Matt Seelinger (Win, 1-1) threw two scoreless relief innings for the SeaWolves.

In the bottom of the ninth with one out, Workman belted a solo homer to center against Wil Jensen (Loss, 4-5) to end the game.

The Flying Squirrels and SeaWolves continue the series on Saturday night at UPMC Park. Right-hander Dylan Cumming (2-6, 5.14) will start for Richmond and right-hander Wilkel Hernandez (4-6, 4.22) will start for Erie. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

The Flying Squirrels return home to face the Akron RubberDucks in their final homestand of the 2024 season next Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are on sale online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.