SeaWolves Win Thriller to Clinch Fifth Consecutive Postseason Berth

ERIE, PA - At the end of the seventh inning, the Erie SeaWolves (41-22, 77-54) led by six runs over the Somerset Patriots (33-30, 70-62). The Patriots plated five runs in the top of the eighth to cut the lead down to one, but in the end it was Erie that pulled through in an 11-10 victory to secure the second half title in the Eastern League Southwest, and its fifth consecutive playoff berth.

It was Erie's offense that struck the first blow of the game in the bottom of the first. Zyhir Hope smacked a single to left field for the first hit of the game before EJ Exposito singled him over to second base. Thayron Liranzo walked to load the bases and Izaac Pacheco plated the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.

Somerset activated the bats in the third inning after two scoreless from Carlos Peña. A leadoff walk and a double from Cole Gabrielson put runners at second and third with no one out. Jace Avina singled on a sharp fly ball to center field to tie the game at one. Core Jackson singled home Gabrielson to extend the lead to 2-1 before Jace Avina scored on a wild pitch from Peña to extend the deficit to 3-1.

Peña's day ended after three innings. The lefty allowed three runs on four hits and struck out six.

Somerset struck in the fifth against reliever Dariel Fregio after he tossed a first scoreless inning of work. Gabrielson singled to begin the inning before Core Jackson blasted a double to the left-center field gap to score a fourth run. Roderick Arias dropped in another line-drive single to score Core Jackson as a fifth run before Fregio escaped the inning.

Erie immediately responded in the fifth when Exposito scored Viandel Pena on a sacrifice fly. Liranzo followed up with a line drive two-run home run to slice the deficit back down to one.

The SeaWolves' offense jumped back in front with a massive offensive sixth inning. A walk and single began the inning before Seth Stephenson dropped a double on the right field foul line to score the tying run. A batter later Peyton Graham slapped a single to vault Erie back into the lead at 6-5. With two runners on base, Zyhir Hope ripped his 28th home run of the season to put Erie in front 9-5.

The SeaWolves continued to add on in the seventh inning against reliever Yerry Rodriguez. Clayton Campbell singled with one out before Stephenson pushed him to third with a double. Pena placed a single into center field to score a tenth run and Zyhir Hope lined through yet another base hit to extend the lead to 11-5.

Somerset began the eighth inning with back-to-back singles. Moises Rodriguez entered in relief and retired the first hitter he faced before issuing a one-out walk to load the bases. A ground ball error to Peyton Graham allowed two to score and a wild pitch from Rodriguez allowed yet another run to cross. Exposito was charged with a second error on the inning that allowed two more runs to cross and put Somerset back within a run at 11-10.

Zane Barnhart entered in the ninth inning and earned his sixth save of the season, silencing the Patriots' bats and earning the SeaWolves a series' split, the Eastern League Southwest Second Half title and a fifth consecutive postseason berth.

Erie plays its final series of the regular season against the Reading Fightin Phils on the road beginning on Tuesday at 6:45 PM.

2026 Playoffs presented by UPMC tickets, 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.