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Squirrels capture wild walk-off win in extras over Akron

Richmond moves into tie for first place in second-half standings
September 6, 2023

RICHMOND, Va. – After losing the lead in the ninth, the Richmond Flying Squirrels picked up a 5-4, walk-off win against the Akron RubberDucks on Wednesday night at The Diamond.

RICHMOND, Va. – After losing the lead in the ninth, the Richmond Flying Squirrels picked up a 5-4, walk-off win against the Akron RubberDucks on Wednesday night at The Diamond.

The Flying Squirrels (67-61, 34-25) extended their win streak to four consecutive games and have won seven of the last nine games.

Behind by one run in the fifth inning, Jimmy Glowenke reached on a hit-by-pitch to lead off the frame. He stole third base with two outs and scored on an Akron throwing error to even the score, 2-2. Later in the inning, Yoshi Tsutsugo lined an RBI single to right field and sent the Flying Squirrels to a 3-2 advantage.

Logan Wyatt sent Richmond to a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI single to right field.

Richmond reliever Wil Jensen worked 3.1 scoreless innings against the RubberDucks (62-66, 27-32) and struck out three batters. Mat Olsen posted a scoreless eighth inning with a strikeout and a double play.

With a runner at third and two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Michael Berglund rocketed a two-run homer against Clay Helvey (Win, 3-0) to even the score, 4-4. Will Wilson reached in the bottom of the 10th but Akron reliever Franco Aleman (Loss, 2-1) collected back-to-back strikeouts to hold Richmond scoreless.

Helvey worked a flyout, groundout and a strikeout in a scoreless top of the 10th inning.

With Shane Matheny at second base in the bottom of the 10th, Brady Whalen punched a bunt down the first base line, but Aleman launched a high throw to first base and scored Matheny to deliver the walk-off victory.

On the first pitch of the ballgame from Ross Carver, Ismael Munguia launched a solo home run to right field and pushed the Flying Squirrels to a 1-0 lead. It was the third time Munguia has hit a first-inning lead-off home run.

The RubberDucks answered with two runs in the top of the fourth inning to grab a 2-1. Milan Tolentino hit an RBI double and Joe Naranjo gave Akron a one-run lead on an RBI single to center field.

The Flying Squirrels will face the RubberDucks Thursday night with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Left-hander Nick Zwack (5-7, 6.57) will start for Richmond opposed by left-hander Doug Nikhazy (4-7, 4.16).

Thursday is the University of Richmond Night and the MBL Community Night at The Diamond. Fans can enjoy In-Your-Face Fireworks after the game from up close and inside the fences presented by Belle Isle Craft Spirits.

Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.