Ducks Win Back-And-Forth Series Opener over Sens

The Akron RubberDucks downed the Harrisburg Senators 5-4 Friday night at Canal Park. The Senators were unable to hold a one-run lead in the eighth inning as they fell in the series opener. 

The game began after a one hour and 55 minute rain delay. The Senators took an early lead in the second, when Osvaldo Abreu hit a sacrifice fly to plate Jake Noll, who doubled to start the inning. 
Akron responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to take a one run advantage. After a run scoring groundout tied the game, Connor Marabell scored on a wild pitch by Senators starter Kyle McGowin.
The Senators came back quickly to tie the game in the third. Hunter Jones led off the frame with a walk and advanced to third on a double by Carter Kieboom. One batter later, Taylor Gushue hit a sacrifice fly to knot the game at 2-2. 

The game remained tied until the sixth, when Marabell hit a home run over the right field fence to put Akron back in front by 3-2.
After a scoreless seventh, the Senators see-sawed back ahead. With Drew Ward and Noll on second and third, Alec Keller singled up the middle to drive in both runners and put the Senators on top 4-3.
That lead was shortlived as Akron took the lead in the bottom of the eighth. They tied the game on a Will Castro sacrifice fly and took the lead one batter later when Mark Mathias singled in the go-ahead run. 
Aregnis Angulo pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the 5-4 win and notch his seventh save. Ismael Guillòn (1-1) took the loss after surrendering the tying and go-ahead runs in his one and two-thirds innings. Kieran Lovegrove (1-0) earned the win despite allowing a pair of runs in his one inning of relief. 
Neither starting pitcher factored in the decision. McGowin allowed three runs in six innings while striking out four and walking three. The right-hander has worked a quality start in all eight starts with the Senators this season. Akron starter Sean Brady allowed a pair of runs on five hits across five and two-thirds innings. 
Kieboom was the only Senator with multiple hits as he finished 2-5 with a double. The Senators went 1-11 with runners in scoring position.
The Senators and RubberDucks continue the series Saturday night. The Senators send starter Tyler Mapes against Akron starter Triston McKenzie. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Canal Park. The gamescan be heard on CBS Sports Harrisburg 96.5 & 95.3 FM and 1400 AM or at www.cbssportsharrisburg.com beginning at 6:50 p.m.