EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

R-Phils Stymie Squirrels In Opener, 5-0

Published on June 3, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - Offensive struggles followed the Richmond Flying Squirrels (25-29) home from the road, as they were blanked by right-hander Austin Hyatt and the Reading Phillies (29-24), 5-0, in front of 7,227 on Friday night at The Diamond. It marked the fourth time this season that the Flying Squirrels have been shutout.

Squirrels' starter Eric Surkamp and Hyatt each tossed three scoreless innings to begin the ballgame. However, the R-Phils broke through against Surkamp first in the top of the fourth inning. With one out in the inning, Surkamp walked Cody Overbeck. Carlos Rivero followed with a double, and Derrick Mitchell put Reading in front with a two-run single for a 2-0 lead.

The R-Phils padded their lead with three more runs in the fifth inning. Hyatt aided his own cause when he sparked the uprising with a lead-off single. Freddy Galvis followed with a bloop-single, and when Surkamp couldn't cleanly play a sacrifice bunt from Niuman Romero, the bases were loaded with nobody out. Michael Spidale stretched the R-Phils' lead to 4-0 with a two-run single to left-center field. Spidale stole second base and advanced to third on a ground out. Rivero laced an RBI single to right field for a 5-0 lead.

Surkamp (3-3) was chased from the ballgame by Rivero's single, exiting to the loss after 4 2/3 innings. He allowed a season-high five earned runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out five.

Hyatt (6-3) remained in a groove, ultimately earning the win over seven scoreless innings. He allowed just four hits - all singles - walked one and struck out eight. Right-hander Tyler Cloyd worked a scoreless eighth and right-hander Justin De Fratus completed the shutout with a perfect ninth inning.

The Squirrels bullpen did pitch well in defeat, as left-handers Wilmin Rodriguez and David Quinowski combined to work 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:05 PM at The Diamond on Saturday night. RHP Justin Fitzgerald (4-3, 2.98) will make the start for the Squirrels against LHP Ryan Edell (4-1, 4.01) for the R-Phils.

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Eastern League Stories from June 3, 2011


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