Wilson's three-run homer lifts Squirrels over 'Ducks
RICHMOND, Va. – Will Wilson hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and the bullpen combined for five scoreless innings as the Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Akron RubberDucks, 3-2, on Friday night at The Diamond.
RICHMOND, Va. – Will Wilson hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and the bullpen combined for five scoreless innings as the Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Akron RubberDucks, 3-2, on Friday night at The Diamond.
The Flying Squirrels (3-4) were held to three hits but their pitchers held the RubberDucks (4-3) to 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the game.
¡ADIÓS PELOTA!
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 13, 2024
Will Wilson might have just sent a baseball to the moon. 🫢 pic.twitter.com/xpfRvlBbKF
Akron led, 2-0, entering the sixth inning. After a single and a walk, reliever Jack Leftwich (Loss, 0-1) entered and surrendered a three-run homer to Wilson to move the Flying Squirrels ahead.
.@NicholasSwiney: Can I help you?
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 13, 2024
RubberDucks: No thanks, just looking. pic.twitter.com/aIXs1JDGUx
After throwing a 1-2-3 sixth inning, Nick Swiney (Win, 1-0) allowed a walk and a single to lead off the seventh but worked out of the jam. He pitched two scoreless innings in the game with two strikeouts.
Tanner Kiest (Save, 1) entered in the eighth and retired all three batters, striking out two. After a pair of two-out walks in the ninth, Chase DeLauter lined out to Logan Wyatt to end the game, standing the tying run at second.
The RubberDucks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a two-out, RBI single by Dayan Frias. Kody Huff added a solo homer in the second to extend the Akron advantage to 2-0.
Brett AIRbach?
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 12, 2024
Brett AuerHOPS?
We'll let you decide. pic.twitter.com/Kkm7PLIAtj
Starter Ryan Murphy responded with scoreless third and fourth innings. He finished his day with two runs allowed on four hits over four innings with three strikeouts.
José Cruz entered in the fifth and issued two one-out walks but stranded both runners in his first appearance of 2024.
Wilson reached base three times in the game, going 1-for-2 with the three-run homer and two walks.
The series continues on Saturday night at The Diamond. Right-hander Matt Frisbee (0-0, 0.00) will start for Richmond countered by Akron lefty Rodney Boone (1-0, 0.00). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Saturday is HBCU Night presented by the Richmond Times-Dispatch with In-Your-Face Fireworks following the game. Tickets are on sale online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-3866 (FUNN) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.