SeaWolves squeak by RubberDucks 6-5

ERIE, Pa--- Erie outlasted Akron 6-5 to win their fifth game in a row Friday at UPMC Park.
Akron put a run on the board first in the first inning. Greg Allen reached on a Kody Eaves error, and then Joe Sever got to first on a single. With runners on the corners, Francisco Mejía grounded into a double play to bring in Allen to score.
Dominic Ficociello tied the ballgame with his seventh home run of the year on a blast to right field off of Luis Lugo in the bottom of the first.
Gabriel Quintana's fifteenth homer of the season put the SeaWolves on top in the bottom of the second. After two innings, Erie led 2-1.
Akron tied it up again in the top of the third after Greg Allen's sacrifice fly to right field scored Luigi Rodriguez.
Once again, Erie responded in the home half of the third inning. In his first at-bat back from the DL, Grayson Greiner smoked his eighth home run of the year into right field. A.J. Simcox doubled in the next at-bat, and then stole third base. Mejia sailed his throw from home plate to third into left field, which allowed Simcox to score. The SeaWolves led 4-2 after three innings of play.
The 'Wolves scored two more runs in the fifth inning off of Lugo. Steven Moya singled open it up, and then Ficociello knocked him in on an RBI Double. Christin Stewart added his 63rd RBI of the season on a single to right to make it 6-2 Erie heading into the sixth.
SeaWolves starter A.J. Ladwig allowed three runs in the sixth inning, including a two-run homer from Mike Papi that brought the RubberDucks within one at 6-5.
Erie's pitching stayed strong in the final three innings, as Bryan Garcia picked up the save after striking out the side in the ninth.
Ladwig (7-1) earned another win for Erie and Lugo (4-6) suffered his second loss against Erie in 2017.
The SeaWolves send LHP Matt Crouse (5-2, 4.50 ERA) against Akron's RHP Michael Peoples (2-4, 4.47 ERA) for the game Saturday set to start at 7:05 PM.
Saturday's game is Military Appreciation Night presented by Presque Isle Downs and Casino. Fireworks are set for after the game, and the SeaWolves will wear special military themed jerseys that will be auctioned off, benefiting veteran's charities.
Saturday is also McDonald's Friends and Family Night, and fans can buy two tickets, two SeaWolves caps and two McDonald's Extra Value Meals for as low as $18.
A post-game autograph session presented by Plyler Entry Systems will happen with a SeaWolves player and C. Wolf outside of the Team Store.