Pitching shines, Eldridge homers in doubleheader split
Joe Whitman threw a complete game and the Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Erie SeaWolves, 3-1, in the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader at The Diamond.
Joe Whitman threw a complete game and the Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Erie SeaWolves, 3-1, in the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader at The Diamond.
It's a complete game for Joe Whitman! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/oWN4DLLEsT
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 15, 2025
Whitman (Win, 2-4) went the distance for the longest outing of his professional career. He threw the first complete game by a Richmond pitcher since 2022, allowing one run on four hits over seven innings with three strikeouts.
An early lead for the Squirrels thanks to Bryce Eldridge 👍 pic.twitter.com/yL8LIJCZ0g
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 15, 2025
Richmond opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning against Erie starter Carlos Pena (Loss, 0-2). Diego Velasquez led off with a double and came in to score on a single by Bryce Eldridge.
Who doesn’t love a successful double steal? 😏 pic.twitter.com/QwCwQ43efz
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 15, 2025
In the bottom of the second, Zach Morgan was caught in a rundown attempting to steal second and Justin Wishkoski sprinted home to score from third on a double steal, moving the Richmond lead to 2-0.
YO ADRIÁN!
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 15, 2025
Sugey swats his third homer of the season 💪 pic.twitter.com/OYqbdgLRX0
Adrian Sugastey stretched the lead to 3-0 with a solo homer, his third of the year, in the bottom of the fourth.
The SeaWolves broke the shutout with a solo homer by Thayron Liranzo in the top of the sixth.
In the top of the seventh, Erie put two runners on base before Whitman induced a double-play groundout and ended the game with a strikeout.
In the second game of the Thursday’s doubleheader, the Erie SeaWolves scored three runs in the first two innings to beat the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 3-2.
Justice Bigbie gave the SeaWolves a 2-0 lead with a single in the top of the first inning against Richmond starter Seth Lonsway (Loss, 2-2). In the second, Ben Malgeri hit a solo homer to open a 3-0 lead.
Trading a run for an out to get on the board in Game 2 pic.twitter.com/Mlar3To38r
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 16, 2025
In the bottom of the third, Thomas Gavello singled, moved to third on a double by Aeverson Arteaga and scored on a sacrifice fly by Diego Velasquez to cut the deficit to 3-1 against Erie starter Garrett Burhenn (Win, 4-0).
Bryce Eldridge has homered in a tomato jersey.
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 16, 2025
Please react accordingly. pic.twitter.com/r9t0gH4QDf
Bryce Eldridge led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo homer, his third this season, to pull the Flying Squirrels within a run.
Yosber Sanchez (Save, 2) worked around a leadoff walk to pitch a scoreless seventh and end the game.
Lonsway, going head-to-head against his former Ohio State teammate Burhenn, threw a career-high 6.2 innings and allowed three runs with four strikeouts.
The Flying Squirrels continue the series against the SeaWolves on Friday night. Left-hander John Michael Bertrand (0-4, 4.50) will start for Richmond opposed by Erie right-hander Joseph Montalvo (2-1, 5.48). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at The Diamond.
Friday is Squirrels-toberfest at The Diamond featuring a Lederhosen T-shirt giveaway for the first 1,000 fans ages 15 and older presented by Seredni Tire & Auto. It is also Friday Happy Hour with $3 12-ounce domestic beers from 5:30-7:30 and $3 fountain sodas at the Pepsi stand. Tickets are on sale online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.