Squirrels hold Chesapeake in check for Fourth of July win

BOWIE, Md. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels pulled away from the Chesapeake Baysox for a 6-1 win on Friday night at Prince George’s Stadium.

The Flying Squirrels (25-52-1, 4-6) played their first Independence Day road game in franchise history, taking the first in a three-game series against the Baysox (34-43, 3-7).

Chesapeake took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Richmond starter John Michael Bertrand (Win, 3-7). Enrique Bradfield Jr. reached with a one-out walk, moved to second on a groundout, stole third and scored on a single by Creed Willems.

Bertrand finished his outing with one run allowed on four hits over 5.2 innings.

Carter Howell gets the Squirrels on the board in Bowie! pic.twitter.com/YndafCIo0K

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) July 4, 2025

In the third, Aeverson Arteaga singled with one out and scored on a two-out, two-strike double by Carter Howell off the wall in center to tie the score, 1-1.

Jairo pokes one through and the Squirrels lead it! pic.twitter.com/DRSSaY4HbI

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) July 4, 2025

Turner Hill tripled to lead off the top of the fourth inning against Baysox starter Blake Money (Loss, 1-2). Two batters later, Jairo Pomares singled to left, scoring Hill to give the Flying Squirrels a 2-1 lead.

After Bertrand retired the first two batters in the bottom of the fourth, a single and two walks loaded the bases. Bertrand struck out Alfredo Velasquez to escape the jam.

Four runs on the Fourth 👏 pic.twitter.com/9svxx9yWGo

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) July 5, 2025

In the top of the fifth, the Flying Squirrels worked two walks and a single to load the bases with one out. Hill brought home Diego Velasquez with a sacrifice fly and Adrian Sugastey hit an RBI single to extend the lead to 4-1.

SABIN CEBALLOS STARTS THE FIREWORKS EARLY TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW 🎆 pic.twitter.com/PxKJHnhDoL

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) July 5, 2025

With two outs in the top of the seventh inning, Sabin Ceballos launched a two-run homer, his second in the last two games and third on the season, to push the Flying Squirrels’ lead to 6-1.

Flyin' like an eagle 🦅 pic.twitter.com/MIhGls6UnK

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) July 5, 2025

Dylan Hecht relieved Bertrand in the sixth and worked 1.1 scoreless innings. Marques Johnson and Tyler Myrick covered the final two frames.

The series continues on Saturday night. Right-hander Manuel Mercedes (3-9, 7.91) will start for Richmond opposed by Chesapeake right-hander Trace Bright (1-5, 5.62). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Prince George’s Stadium.

The Flying Squirrels next homestand begins Friday, July 18 against the Harrisburg Senators, Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. 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.