EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Walk-Off Win Earned On Wild-Pitch

Published on April 23, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels (7-9) rescued the finale of a three-game series, plating two runs in the bottom of the 11th inning to steal a, 3-2, win from the Altoona Curve (7-8) in front of 6,744 at The Diamond on Saturday night. The Squirrels also earned the series victory a night after they dropped the longest game in franchise history in 15 innings.

After surrendering the lead to Altoona in the top of the 11th, pinch-hitter Joel Weeks took a walk to start the Richmond 11th. Justin Christian singled through the left-side of the infield to move him to second. Nick Noonan was attempting to bunt the pair up a base, when Curve closer Noah Krol (0-1) opted to throw to third base and threw errantly. Weeks scored on the play to tie the game, 2-2. Christian moved up to third and then completed the walk-off win when he raced home on a Krol wild-pitch. Krol took the loss for the Curve.

Eric Fryer gave the Curve the game's first lead when he led off the second inning against Richmond starter Ryan Verdugo. Fryer sent his second home run of the season well over the wall in left field. The solo-home run gave Altoona a 1-0 advantage.

Curve right-hander Aaron Pribanic conceded a lead-off single to Christian in the bottom of the first inning, but was sterling afterward. He retired the next 14 batters that he faced, working with ease through the fifth inning. With two outs in the fifth, he allowed a double to Juan Perez. However, he responded by retiring the next seven hitters to post seven scoreless innings. He had retired 21 of 22 batters going back to Christian's first-inning single.

The Squirrels finally put a chink in Pribanic's armor in the eighth when Roger Kieschnick led off with an infield-single. Pribanic immediately called it a night, replaced by right-hander Michael Dubee. Dubee got the first two outs of the inning, but with two out and Kieschnick at second, the Squirrels turned to pinch-hitter Johnny Monell. He delivered a game-tying single into right-center field, plating Kieschnick to even the game, 1-1. Monell took second base on a throw home, and represented the go-ahead run. Christian sent a single into left field, and Monell tore around third base. He was cut down at the plate on a strong throw from Curve left fielder Quincy Latimore to keep the game knotted.

Pribanic was charged with one run over seven-plus innings. He didn't factor in the decision, walking none and striking out two. Verdugo rebounded from Mercer's home run in the second and strolled through six innings without further incident. He allowed just three hits, walked one and struck out four.

Justin Dowdy (1-0) earned the win for the Squirrels, having tossed the final two innings for Richmond. He was charged with one unearned run in the top of the 11th, when pinch-hitter Jose Hernandez singled home Jordy Mercer to momentarily give Altoona a 2-1 lead.

The Squirrels will enjoy a league-wide off day in observance of Easter Sunday, before opening a four-game series on Monday night against the Trenton Thunder (New York Yankees) at The Diamond at 6:35 PM. For tickets or more information, visit www.squirrelsbaseball.com.

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Eastern League Stories from April 23, 2011


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