Ponies Suffer Walk-Off Loss to SeaWolves in Series Opener

Erie, PA – The Rumble Ponies (5-10, 40-39) fell to the Erie SeaWolves 5-4 on Cam Gibson’s walk-off sacrifice fly in the ninth to cap off a back-and-forth series opener at UPMC Park. Stephen Villines (0-1) came in to begin the ninth and issued a walk to Kody Eaves that was followed by a single to Sergio Alcantara, with Alcantara advancing to second on the throw to third. With second and third and none out, the Ponies intentionally walked Chace Numata to load the bases. Gibson then hit a deep fly ball to center that scored Eaves from third to win the game.

The Ponies rallied from a 3-0 deficit after five to score four unanswered runs. In the sixth, David Thompson hit a two-run homer, his second of the year to cut the lead to 3-2. In the seventh, Quinn Brodey laid down a sacrifice bunt that pitcher Trent Skutnik threw errantly to first to score Mike Paez from second. That was followed by a two-out RBI double from Mike Paez in the eighth.

The SeaWolves (11-2, 42-37) responded immediately though off reliever Eric Hanhold as Erie third basemen Issac Parades tied the game with a solo shot over the left-centerfield wall.

Harol Gonzalez allowed three runs over seven innings in the no decision. The game-winning run in the ninth was the first earned run allowed this season by Villines in a Ponies uniform.

The Rumble Ponies continue their series the Erie SeaWolves Tuesday night from UPMC Park. First pitch is at 7:05PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF and on the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show begins at 6:50PM.

POSTGAME NOTES: The Ponies have dropped three in a row…After starting the year 6-0 against Erie, they have now lost 4 straight to the Tigers affiliate.