Squirrels Stiffle SeaWolves Bats

Richmond Flying Squirrels held the SeaWolves bats silent on Tuesday night as they took the second game of the four game series with the Howlers 5-1 and in the process, snapping Erie's three-game winning streak.

The SeaWolves struck first in the top of the sixth, breaking a scoreless tie against Richmond starter Eric Surcamp. With one out, Brandon Douglas walked and reached second on an error by the shortstop Nick Noonan on a potential double play ball off the bat of Rawley Bishop. With two outs, Bryan Holaday singled up the middle, scoring Douglas for a 1-0 lead.

The lead would not hold long as Richmond struck right back in the bottom of the sixth against Erie starter L.J. Gagnier. After retiring 11 consecutive hitters, Gagnier served up a leadoff single to Aaron Lowenstein. With one out, Justin Christian singled putting runners on first and second. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third and a fielder's choice off the bat of Charlie Culberson brought home the games tying run. With two outs, Juan Perez gave the Squirrels the lead as he doubled down the left field line plating Christian and Culberson for a 3-1 lead. Roger Kieschnick followed with a double scoring Perez for a 4-1 Richmond lead.

The Flying Squirrels tacked on a run in the seventh. Tyler Monell led off with a double to the wall in right and was moved to third on a Lowenstein sacrifice bunt. Ryan Lormand singled home pinch runner Skyler Stromsmoe making it 5-1.

Gagnier (3-3) took the loss allowing five runs on seven hits with no walks and two strikeouts.

Surkamp (3-2) picked up the win, limiting the SeaWolves to an unearned run on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts.

The SeaWolves and Flying Squirrels meet in the third game of the four game series on Wednesday night at The Diamond...7:05 First Pitch. RHP Luke Putkonen (0-5, 8.15 ERA) takes the mound for the SeaWolves against RHP Justin Fitzgerald (3-3, 3.67 ERA).