Erie smacks Akron 9-4 to open series

ERIE, Pa---The SeaWolves won their fourth game in a row after beating Akron 9-4 at UPMC Park Thursday night.
Erie scored first in the bottom of the third inning. After A.J. Simcox doubled, Matt Esparza threw away the ball on a bunt attempt by Logan Watkins that brought in a run on the error. Harold Castro singled to score Logan Watkins, and then Kody Eaves smoked a line drive for an RBI single. Dominic Ficociello smoked a two-run homer to left to make it 5-0 Erie.
The SeaWolves jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kody Eaves and Dominic Ficociello both singled to get on the corners to lead it off. Miguel Gonzalez ripped an RBI single into left to drive in Eaves. Two batters later, Dominic Ficociello scored on a sac fly to left by Zack Cox. With two outs and a man on, Wade Hinkle nailed his first Erie home run into right center to make it a four run inning for the 'Wolves.
Tyler Alexander surrendered his only two runs of the night off of a homer into center by Luigi Rodriguez. With six innings in the books, Erie lead Akron 9-2.
The RubberDucks added two more runs on a blast by Bobby Bradley on Gerson Moreno, his 16th of the season. The home run made it 9-4, but Erie held on for the rest of the game to earn the series-opening win.
Alexander (5-6) tallied a win in his first career start against Akron and Esparza (5-2) suffered the loss.
The SeaWolves return to UPMC Park Friday for game two of the series against Akron. Erie sends RHP A.J. Ladwig (6-1, 3.62 ERA) against the RubberDucks' LHP Luis Lugo (4-5, 5.27 ERA). The game is set to start at 7:05 PM.
The first 1,000 fans that attend Friday's game will receive a bobblehead of SeaWolves alumnus and 2016 American League Champion Andrew Miller presented by UPMC Hamot.
The SeaWolves will wear retro-style jerseys as part of Fauxback Friday in the game as well. Fans can enjoy $2 specials on draft beer and Pepsi fountain products in the Bud Light Beer Garden until the game starts.
A SeaWolves player will be available for a post-game autograph session along with C. Wolf outside of the Team Store at the end of the matchup.