Seawolves Clinch Southern Division Title
September 3, 2007 - Eastern League (EL1)
Erie SeaWolves News Release
The SeaWolves took down the Altoona Curve on Monday afternoon by a score of 9-4. to win their first Southern Division title since 2001!
The SeaWolves struck first in the bottom of the first inning against Curve starter Yoslan Herrera. Danny Worth connected on an opposite field base hit with one out bringing Matt Joyce to the plate. Joyce slammed a line drive double over the wall in center, scoring Worth from first, giving Erie a 1-0 lead. A single by Jeff Larish put runners on the corners and a passed ball scored Joyce from third for a 2-0 Erie advantage.
The Curve responded in the top of the second. Jason Delaney doubled down the right field line with one out. With two outs, Javier Guzman singled to center, scoring Delaney, making it 2-1 'Wolves.
Erie would go back up by a pair in the bottom of the second. Will Rhymes and Steve Torrealba singled to put two on for Nick McIntyre. McIntyre laid down a bunt to move the runners over but Rhymes beat Herrera's throw to third to load the bases. With one out Worth hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Rhymes from third for a 3-1 Erie lead.
Erie would go up by three runs in the bottom of the third inning when Mike Hernandez stepped in and crushed an opposite field home run, his fourth, for a 4-1 'Wolves lead.
Altoona cut into the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Taber Lee walked and scored with one out on a Peter Bergeron single to center, making it a 4-2 game in favor of Erie.
The score would remain the same heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Patrick Bresnehan tossed two scoreless inning and the Curve sent him back out to work the sixth. Bresnehan gave up back-to-back walks to Thomas and Worth and Joyce singled to load the bases for Larish. Altoona went to the bullpen again and brought in RHP Ronald Belisario. Larish stood in and connected on a grand slam to put the 'Wolves up 8-2. The home run for Larish was his 28th on the season, putting him third all-time in SeaWolves history. Larish also finished the regular season with 101 RBI which is one-shy on the all-time record of 102 set by Eric Munson in 2001. Later in the inning Hernandez would score on a Rhymes sacrifice fly to put Erie ahead 9-2.
Altoona would score two runs in the top of the seventh inning against reliever Ian Ostlund but it would not be enough as Ostlund retired the final three batters he faced to give Erie the 9-4 victory.
Matt Rusch (6-1) picked up the win for Erie in his first day back from the disabled list. Rusch retired all four batters he faced, including retiring the side in the top of the sixth.
EASTERN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS -
The SeaWolves have now won the division for only the second time in team history and will face the Akron Aeros on Wednesday night at Jerry Uht Park with the first pitch set for 7:05. Here is the schedule for the Eastern League Division Series:
GAME ONE - Wednesday, September 5 - 7:05 First Pitch in Erie
GAME TWO - Thursday, September 6 - 7:05 First Pitch in Erie
GAME THREE - Friday, September 7 - TBA First Pitch in Akron
GAME FOUR - Saturday, September 8 - TBA First Pitch in Akron (If Necessary)
GAME FIVE - Sunday, September 9 - 6:05 First Pitch in Erie (If Necessary)
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Eastern League Stories from September 3, 2007
- Baysox End Season With Loss To Connecticut, 5-2 - Bowie Baysox
- Rock Cats Shortstop Trevor Plouffe Is New Britain's 2007 Bernie's Brings It Home Player Of The Year - New Britain Rock Cats
- Rock Cats Esatblish New Franchise Attendance Marks - New Britain Rock Cats
- Fan Turnout Ranks Second All-Time - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- B-Mets Win Finale In Walk-Off Fashion - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Portland will host New Hampshire in a one-game playoff on Tuesday night - Portland Sea Dogs
- Fisher Cats and Sea Dogs will meet in playoff game Tuesday night - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Seawolves Clinch Southern Division Title - Erie SeaWolves
- Guzman perfect in Rock Cats sweep - New Britain Rock Cats
- Thunder Win 8-6; Still Waiting On Playoff Opponent - Trenton Thunder
- Sea Dogs To Host One Game Playoff Tuesday - Portland Sea Dogs
- Seawolves Claim Southern Division Title With 9-4 Win - Altoona Curve
- Akron Aeros Playoffs Information - Akron RubberDucks
- Fisher Cats Draw Record 371,710 fans in 2007 - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Sea Dogs announce playoff ticket information - Portland Sea Dogs
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