SeaWolves Erase Four-Run Deficit in Game 1 Win, Split Doubleheader with Somerset

ERIE, PA - The Erie SeaWolves (40-22, 76-54) stormed back to walk off the Somerset Patriots (33-29, 70-61) in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday night, but a sixth inning Somerset grand slam in game two cost the SeaWolves a chance for the sweep at UPMC Park.

Joe Miller started for the SeaWolves in the first game and the Patriots ambushed the left-hander out of the gate. Seven of the first eight hitters reached base and Somerset scored four runs in the first inning before Miller struck out Jackson Castillo to end the frame.

Erie's offense began its climb back in the fourth inning by loading the bases with no one out. Clayton Campbell's sacrifice fly got the SeaWolves on the board before Somerset starter Rory Fox escaped the jam.

Despite two quick outs in the fifth, Zyhir Hope singled and Thayron Liranzo brought him around on a double off the wall in left field to cut the SeaWolves' deficit to two.

The SeaWolves' pitching staff locked it down after the first inning, retiring the next twenty hitters that came to the plate.

Erie entered the bottom of the seventh trailing by two against reliever Kevin Stevens. Viandel Pena greeted Stevens with a double and Peyton Graham followed with a double of his own to pull the SeaWolves within one. Stevens left the game after just five pitches due to injury and Kelly Austin entered with the tying run at second. Liranzo roped his second double of the game with two outs to tie the game and send things to extra innings.

Somerset scored the extra innings run on a single from Core Jackson against SeaWolves reliever Zane Barnhart. Once again, the SeaWolves had the response in the bottom half. The Patriots walked Izaac Pacheco intentionally with one away and Clayton Campbell worked a walk to load the bases. Seth Stephenson delivered the final blow with a two-run single up the third base line to secure the walk-off win.

Colin Fields started for the SeaWolves in the nightcap. The right-hander pitched two perfect innings as an opener for the fourth time this season.

Erie's offense picked up where it left off in the second inning as EJ Exposito singled and scored on a double from Luke Shliger. Roberto Campos brought in Shliger with a groundout after Shliger stole third base.

Somerset's offense would not be denied as the Patriots plated a run in the fourth on a pair of singles, but the tying run was thrown out as Viandel Pena fired a strike to the plate with the infield in and one out.

The Patriots did tie the game in the fifth inning as Jackson Castillo homered against Yoniel Curet before Curet sat down the next three hitters to retire the side.

Erie regained the lead in the bottom half as Patrick Lee doubled and Stephenson poked a double of his own to give the SeaWolves a 3-2 lead.

Somerset punched back in the sixth by loading the bases against Curet on a hit by pitch and two walks. Johan Simon entered from the bullpen to replace Curet with no one out. Josh Moylan greeted the SeaWolves reliever with a grand slam on the first pitch to put the Patriots in front, 6-3.

Neither team managed another run on the night and the sides split the doubleheader. Erie has split all six doubleheaders it has played in 2026.

The SeaWolves play for a series split Sunday afternoon at UPMC Park with Carlos Peña getting the start. First pitch is set for 1:35 PM. Erie leads the Southwest Division standings by 5.5 games and can clinch a playoff spot for the fifth consecutive season with a win and a Chesapeake loss.

Single-game tickets, suites, picnics, The Club by Synchrony events, and Bud Light Party Deck groups are now available by visiting SeaWolves.com, calling 814-456-1300, or visiting the UPMC Park Box Office in person.