EL1 Akron RubberDucks

RubberDucks' Rally Falls Short

Published on September 2, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Erie's Dominic Ficociello drove in four runs, and closer John Screiber worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, as the SeaWolves erased a six-run deficit to stun the Akron RubberDucks, 7-6, in the penultimate game of the season, Sunday night at UPMC Park in Erie, Pa.

Turning Point

The SeaWolves (63-76) scored twice on Ficociello's two-out, two-run double in the eighth inning off Jordan Milbrath (2-4) to take a 7-6 lead. It was Ficociello's second hit and fourth RBI of the night and completed a massive comeback effort for the SeaWolves on Fan Appreciation Night.

Mound Presence

The RubberDucks (77-62) wasted a shutout performance from lefty Sean Brady, who tossed five scoreless innings. Once Brady was taken out, the SeaWolves pounced on Ducks relievers Nick Sandlin (3 ER) and Matt Whitehouse (2 ER) in the sixth to pull to within 6-5. Ficociello had the key hit in that rally as well when he stroked a two-run single off Whitehouse.

Duck Tales

Akron built a 6-0 lead. They jumped on 10-game-winner Beau Burrows for a run in the first on a sacrifice fly by Nellie Rodriguez for the early lead. They scored three more in the fourth to chase Burrows. Tyler Krieger had a two-run triple and Rodriguez added another sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-0. The Ducks then made it 6-0 on Sam Haggerty's two-run double in the fifth.

Notebook

Ka'ai Tom had a three-hit night for the RubberDucks. He led off the ninth with a double off the wall in left, and Krieger was hit by a pitch by Trent Szkutnik (4-2). Screiber came in and served up a single to Rodriguez to load the bases with no outs, but then induced a sharp ground-ball double play from Jodd Carter, third-to-home-to-first. Mark Mathias then popped out to center to end the game. It was tSchreiber's 18thsave...The Ducks have hit five triples in the series...The Altoona Curve defeated Bowie, 10-8, Sunday to claim the EL West title and home-field advantage in the upcoming Western Division Series...Akron will open the playoffs at home against the Curve Wednesday night at 6:35...Time of game: 3:21...Attendance: Not announced.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks and SeaWolves will conclude the series, road trip and regular season on Monday at 1:35. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, the WARF iHeart channel, and the TuneIn Radio App.

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Eastern League Stories from September 2, 2018


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