SeaWolves Pitch Their Way to Victory in Elissalt's Double-A Debut
HARTFORD, CT - Shortly after losing starter Andrew Sears to Triple-A, the Erie SeaWolves (29-14, 65-46) have gained a new top 30 pitching prospect to add to the rotation. 22-year-old Lucas Elissalt shone in his debut with 4.2 innings of scoreless baseball and a career-high nine strikeouts as Erie snuck
HARTFORD, CT - Shortly after losing starter Andrew Sears to Triple-A, the Erie SeaWolves (29-14, 65-46) have gained a new top 30 pitching prospect to add to the rotation. 22-year-old Lucas Elissalt shone in his debut with 4.2 innings of scoreless baseball and a career-high nine strikeouts as Erie snuck out a 2-1 win against the Hartford Yard Goats (16-27, 55-56) on Friday night at Dunkin' Park.
Pitching on both sides dominated its way through the first three innings of the game. Recently converted starter Bryson Hammer cruised through the first three innings on the bump for the Yard Goats. The lefty faced just nine batters despite allowing a single in both the second and third innings.
Erie cracked the goose egg on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Luke Shliger drew a one-out walk after a leadoff strikeout from Roberto Campos. Joey Campagna bashed a double to put runners at second and third and end Hammer's night on the mound. Yard Goats' Manager Robinson Cancel called on Davis Palermo to escape the jam. The right-hander walked Patrick Lee to begin his outing and walked Woody Hadeen with the bases loaded to score the first Erie run. Peyton Graham quickly followed up with a sacrifice fly to center field to extend the Erie lead to 2-0.
Elissalt was fantastic on the mound. The righty allowed only four baserunners all night through his 4.2 innings of work. After allowing back-to-back hits in the third; the only hits he allowed all night, the Floridian punched out five consecutive hitters to get through the fourth.
Marco Jimenez entered in relief for the SeaWolves and quickly surrendered a solo home run to GJ Hill to cut the score down to 2-1. It was the only run that Hartford would score all night.
Tanner Kohlhepp, Johan Simon and Wandisson Charles navigated the final four innings on the mound. All three turned in scoreless outings, and turned in four combined strikeouts. Kohlhepp took home the win to move to 7-2 on the season.
The SeaWolves are back in action tomorrow at 6:10 PM. Erie sends Max Alba to the mound against Yard Goats' right-hander Connor Staine. A win for Erie would secure a series victory.
Single-game tickets, suites, picnics, The Club by Synchrony events, and Bud Light Party Deck groups are now available by visiting SeaWolves.com, calling 814-456-1300, or visiting the UPMC Park Box Office in person.