'Wolves Even Series With Walkoff in 12
It took 12 innings on Thursday night at Jerry Uht Park but the SeaWolves capitalized on Harrisburg miscues as they took down the Senators 2-1 to even the best of five Western Division Championship Series at 1-1.
Erie jumped ahead in the bottom of the fourth inning against Senators starter Taylor Hill. Tyler Collins led off with a single for his second knock of the game. James McCann followed and sent a bouncer to third that was bobbled by Carlos Rivero allowing both runner to reach safely. Marcus Lemon laid down a sacrifice bunt moving the runners into scoring position and Collins scored on a Wade Gaynor sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead.
The lead held until the top of the eighth inning. Sean Nicol led off with a double off of Erie starter Warwick Saupold. With one out, Nicol moved to third on a wild pitch and he scored on a Jeff Howell sacrifice fly, tying the game.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the 12th inning. Jamie Johnson singled with two outs off of reliever Matt Swynenberg to keep the inning alive. Eugenio Suarez followed with a ground ball deep in the hole at short. On the play, Nicol made a diving play on the ball but overthrew the second baseman covering and the ball went all the way to the wall on the first base side of the seating bowl. Erie skipper Chris Cron waved Johnson home from first and he scored on the throw when Howell could not hang on, giving Erie the 2-1 win.
Erie's pitching staff was brilliant in the victory. Saupold tossed eight innings, allowing a run on four hits with a walk and seven strikeouts in a no-decision.
The bullpen picked up right where Saupold left off, tossing the final four innings of scoreless baseball. Tyler Stohr tossed two and Justin Souza tossed the final two to earn the win.
The series now shifts to Metro Bank Park in Harrisburg where the two clubs will meet on Friday night at 7 p.m.