Sellout crowd treated to fifth straight Squirrels win
RICHMOND, Va. – Victor Bericoto and Bryce Eldridge hit back-to-back homers in the first inning to help lift the Richmond Flying Squirrels to a 3-1 win over the Akron RubberDucks in front of a sold-out crowd at The Diamond on Saturday night.
RICHMOND, Va. – Victor Bericoto and Bryce Eldridge hit back-to-back homers in the first inning to help lift the Richmond Flying Squirrels to a 3-1 win over the Akron RubberDucks in front of a sold-out crowd at The Diamond on Saturday night.
The Flying Squirrels (62-69, 28-34) won their fifth consecutive game of the series against the first-place RubberDucks (76-55, 39-23).
A Beri Bomb sets the tone in the first! 💣 pic.twitter.com/8soP1TFryg
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) September 7, 2024
Bericoto opened the scoring with a solo shot in the bottom of the first against Akron starter Trenton Denholm (Loss, 4-2).
🚨 BRYCE IS ON THE BOARD 🚨
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) September 7, 2024
It's his first Double-A homer and his 23rd across three levels in 2024 💪 pic.twitter.com/TZwmqNbG5M
Eldridge followed with a 411-foot homer to center, his first at Double-A, to open a 2-0 lead. Eldridge became the youngest player in franchise history to hit a home run, his 23rd of the year at three levels.
Big Mo was mowing 'em down tonight 👏 pic.twitter.com/q7vS77ugBz
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) September 7, 2024
The RubberDucks scored their only run against Flying Squirrels starter Nick Morreale (Win, 1-1) in the fifth with an RBI single by Dayan Frias. Morreale picked up his first Double-A win, allowing one hit in five innings with three strikeouts.
Bryce Eldridge is 3-for-3 tonight 😤
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) September 7, 2024
Carter Howell turns on the jets and our lead is doubled! pic.twitter.com/IFR9X1Q7rj
In the bottom of the fifth, Eldridge hit a single to center field and Carter Howell scored on a fielding error.
Nick Swiney pitched two scoreless relief innings, allowing two hits. Mat Olsen pitched a scoreless eighth. Nick Garcia (Save, 5) worked around a walk to end the game with a scoreless ninth inning.
Bryce says bye-bye 👋 pic.twitter.com/cS4u27Az0h
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) September 7, 2024
The Flying Squirrels play their final home game of the 2024 season on Sunday afternoon to wrap up the series against the RubberDucks. Left-hander John Michael Bertrand (7-8, 4.03) will start for Richmond opposed by Akron right-hander Tommy Mace (8-6, 3.65). First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. at The Diamond.
Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day presented by Abilene Motor Express. Squirrel Tails Kids Club members and their families are invited to play catch in the outfield from 12:45-1:05 p.m. Following the game, kids 14 and under can run the bases presented by Richmond Family Magazine. 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.