Erie Scores Two in the Ninth to Walk Off Altoona

The SeaWolves collected their fourth walk off win of the season on Tuesday night, taking the first game of their series with the Altoona Curve, 4-3. The ‘Wolves scored the tying and winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to earn the victory.

Erie struck first on the night against Roansy Contreras. After the Altoona starter opened the night with two scoreless frames, Josh Lester shot the first pitch of third inning across Holland Street to give Erie the lead. Contreras got back to work after the home run, however, and went on to toss a season-high seven innings for Altoona, striking out 10 batters.

A.J. Ladwig spun three hitless innings to open the night on the mound for Erie before Rodolfo Castro lead off the fourth inning with his own solo home run that cleared the netting beyond right field. Altoona plated another run against the Erie bullpen in the fifth inning. Canaan Smith-Njigba tripled against Billy Lescher off of the left field wall with two outs, and scored on a single by Rodolfo Castro.

Altoona struggled with their infield defense in the fifth, gifting a run to the SeaWolves. Kerry Carpenter drew a walk to start the frame. He advanced to second base on an error during a fielder’s choice, to third base on a force out, and came home to score on another force out combined with a throwing error, tying the game without needing a hit.

Following Billy Lescher in relief, Brad Bass gave up two doubles, but still hurled two scoreless innings. Altoona got back to work against Ruben Garcia, pushing across a run on a pair of hits to retake the lead. Mason Martin singled to right field, and came home to score on a double off of the left field wall by Brendt Citta.

Cam Vieaux pitched a perfect eighth inning for Altoona, finishing a string of 10 straight outs recorded by Curve pitchers entering the ninth inning. Erie got the leadoff batter, Ryan Kreidler, on base in the ninth on Altoona’s third error of the game, and Andre Lipcius brought him home to tie the contest with a double to left field with two outs. Pitching the ninth inning for Altoona, Cristofer Melenedez loaded the bases after the game-tying double, and Josh Lester sent the teams home with a single to the right field corner to score Lipcius.

Erie and Altoona continue their six game series on Wednesday at UPMC Park. Paul Richan will climb the hill for the SeaWolves, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.