Drew Ellis Continues to Mash as IronPigs Split Doubleheader with WooSox  

Worcester, Massachusetts (May 21, 2023) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (21-23) managed a very eventful doubleheader split with the Worcester Red Sox (23-22), dropping game one 5-4 in eight innings while rolling to a 12-6 victory in game two of the twin bill on Sunday afternoon at Polar Park.

_Game One _

Good pitching ruled most of the day as the first run of the game wasn’t scored until the third. With two on, Jorge Alfaro roped an RBI double, setting up runners at second and third for Worcester. Bobby Dalbec followed with an RBI groundout to make it 2-0 Worcester.

Niko Goodrum extended the WooSox lead with a solo homer in the fifth.

Down to their final out in the seventh, Jhailyn Ortiz smacked a solo homer, his fourth of the year, to get the IronPigs on the board. Jake Cave then singled and Simon Muzziotti walked to bring the go ahead run to the plate. Drew Ellis stepped in and launched a three-run homer, vaulting the IronPigs in front 4-3.

Unfortunately, the WooSox had the last laugh. Niko Goodrum tied the game in the bottom of the seventh before Bobby Dalbec won it in the extra frame with another RBI single, handing the WooSox a 5-4 win.

Andrew Politi (5-1) fired a scoreless tenth to pick up the win for the WooSox while Erich Uelmen (1-1) suffered the loss for the IronPigs, working an inning-plus, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits.

Game Two

Despite the tough game one loss, the IronPigs got right to work in game two. With two on and two out, Muzziotti ripped a two-run double to start the scoring for the IronPigs.

Cave popped a solo homer in the top of the third, his fourth of the year, but Worcester answered back in the bottom of the inning with a Caleb Hamilton RBI double.

The IronPigs loaded the bases to begin the fourth, and after a strikeout, Aramis Garcia reached on a fielder’s choice plus an error to drive in a run and keep the bases loaded. Weston Wilson walked to force in a run before Cave came through with a two-run single. Ellis followed with yet another three-run homer, his fourth of the season. Jim Haley capped the eight-run outburst with a RBI triple later in the frame.

Dalbec smacked a solo homer for Worcester in the bottom of the fourth but the IronPigs got that run right back in the top of the fifth when Ellis drew a bases loaded walk.

Worcester scored four more runs the rest of the way, three in the sixth thanks to a two-run homer from Wilyer Abreu and a solo shot from Alfaro before Hamilton knocked a solo homer in the seventh, bringing the scoreline to 12-6.

Bailey Falter (1-0) picked up the win for the IronPigs, working 5.2 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk, striking out seven.

Chris Murphy (1-2) suffered the loss for the WooSox, allowing seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk, striking out five.

After an off-day on Monday, the IronPigs begin a 12-game homestand at Coca-Cola Park with a six-game set against the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday, May 23. First pitch is slated for 11:00 a.m.

Follow the IronPigs on Twitter at @IronPigs and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/LHVIronPigs.

The IronPigs are presented by Capital BlueCross.

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