Payano Shines as SeaWolves Shutout Somerset

The SeaWolves shutout the Somerset Patriots on a great Saturday night at UPMC Park. John Valente drove in three runs and Pedro Payano tossed six scoreless innings to secure the series for Erie.

Payano’s six scoreless innings extended his scoreless streak to 14 innings overall. Somerset applied pressure early in the game with runners at first and third and only one out, but Payano grooved a double play to escape the jam. Somerset was never able to push a runner to second base against Payano after the first inning. He struck out eight batters along the way to earn the win.

Cale Coshow was the only reliever Erie needed to preserve the shutout. Somerset drew a pair of walks with only one out in the seventh inning, but Coshow still tossed three clean innings without allowing a hit to earn the save.

Erie plated two runs in the second inning against Somerset starter Matt Krook. Kerry Carpenter singled, Dylan Rosa doubled, and John Valente tripled just underneath the home run line in left field to score the pair. Erie brought home another run against Krook in the fifth inning. Riley Greene drew a walk, and Andre Lipcius tripled into the right field corner to drive in the run.

John Valente followed up on his triple with a solo home run on the first pitch of the seventh inning, making it 4-0. After a pair of walks, Drew Ward slapped a single to left field to score another run and finish the day for Erie’s offense.

Erie and Somerset will conclude their six-game series on Sunday afternoon. During Strike Out Cancer Weekend, fans can bid on game-worn special cancer awareness jerseys through LiveSource, with proceeds benefitting cancer support initiatives of the Hillman Cancer Fund of the Hamot Health Foundation. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m.