Velasquez Delivers Walk-Off Win for Squirrels
Published on September 11, 2025 under Eastern League (EL)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond Flying Squirrels rallied from a three-run deficit to beat the Hartford Yard Goats, 6-5, on Thursday night at The Diamond.
The Flying Squirrels (54-78-1, 33-32 second half) picked up their second consecutive one-run win over the Yard Goats (68-66, 32-33).
Tied, 5-5, in the bottom of the ninth, Hartford reliever Austin Smith (Loss, 1-3) walked Justin Wishkoski to lead off the inning. Aeverson Arteaga grounded into a force out, replacing Wishkoski at first.
Diego Velasquez followed with a double to the right-field corner, scoring Arteaga from first to win the game.
The Flying Squirrels trailed by three runs heading into the bottom of the sixth inning until Carter Howell closed the score to 5-3 with a solo home run, his seventh of the season.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Flying Squirrels loaded the bases with two outs. Victor Bericoto hit a groundball that was misplayed by Yard Goats shortstop Dyan Jorge, bringing in two runs to tie the score, 5-5.
Will Bednar (Win, 2-2) worked through the final two innings and struck out all six batters he faced. Since August 1, he has posted a 2.60 ERA (5 ER/17.1 IP) with 32 strikeouts.
Hartford took a 1-0 lead in the second. Jose Cordova reached on an error to lead off the inning. After an infield hit an a walk to load the bases, Nic Kent was hit by a pitch to bring in the game's first run against Richmond starter Jack Choate.
In the bottom of the second, Turner Hill led off with an infield hit and later scored on a fielder's choice groundout by Scott Bandura, who later scored on a two-out single by Wishkoski to give Richmond a 2-1 lead.
The Yard Goats scored four in the third to take a 5-2 lead. Cole Carrigg led off with a single and was picked off trying to steal second, but second baseman Nate Furman was charged with an error after he dropped the throw. Carrigg scored on a single by Braylen Wimmer to tie the score, 2-2.
After back-to-back two-out walks, Manuel Mercedes entered and hit Julio Carreras with a pitch to bring in the go-ahead run. Nic Kent followed with a two-run single to open a 5-2 Hartford lead.
Choate allowed five runs, all unearned, and tied his season high with four walks.
Ian Villers threw 2.1 scoreless innings out of the Richmond bullpen, allowing one hit.
Velasquez went 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a walk. With his 70th walk of the year, which is the second-most in a season in franchise history, he now trails Reading's Aidan Miller by three for the league lead. Miller was been promoted to Triple-A by the Phillies.
The series continues on Friday night. Left-hander Joe Whitman (4-11, 5.63) will start for Richmond opposed by Hartford right-hander Jack Mahoney (3-9, 5.99). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at The Diamond.
Friday night is Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off presented by Chick-fil-A. It is also Friday Happy Hour with $3 domestic pours from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and $3 sodas at the Pepsi Fountain. The first 2,000 fans of all ages will receive an All-Diamond Team poster presented by Richmond Times-Dispatch. The largest fireworks show in Flying Squirrels history follows the game.
Limited tickets remain for Friday's game and are on sale online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.
Eastern League Stories from September 11, 2025
- Playoff Berth Clinched in Victory over Reading Thursday - Somerset Patriots
- Baysox Drop Fourth Straight on Thursday Night - Chesapeake Baysox
- Three Ducks Homers Fall Short in 5-3 Loss in Harrisburg - Akron RubberDucks
- New Hampshire Rallies for Third Win in a Row - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Velasquez Delivers Walk-Off Win for Squirrels - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Squirrels Walk-Off Yard Goats; Playoff Hopes End - Hartford Yard Goats
- Binghamton Falls to Portland in Tight Battle on Thursday - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Arias's Ninth-Inning Blast Lifts Sea Dogs over Rumble Ponies 8-7 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Reading Shut out by Somerset in Game Three - Reading Fightin Phils
- Serwa and 'Pen Shut Down Curve - Erie SeaWolves
- Perachi Spins Six Strong in 3-1 Defeat - Altoona Curve
- September 11, 2025 Sea Dogs Game Notes - Portland Sea Dogs
- Stanifer Makes Home Debut against Chesapeake's de León - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Eight Members of 2025 Fightin Phils Named to Arizona Fall League - Reading Fightin Phils
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
