Erie and Akron traded runs early. Ryan Kreidler singled and stole second base in the first inning, and Andre Lipcius doubled to right field to drive him in. Brady Policelli scored Erie’s second run in the second inning after singling to left field. Policelli also stole second base, advanced to third base on an error, and scored on a ground out by Danny Woodrow.
Alex Royalty was crushed in the third inning by Erie’s batters, allowing five more hits and four runs. Dillon Dingler tripled in a run and scored, while Lipcius and Josh Lester each singled in runs and scored in the frame. The Akron starter surrendered six runs total, a season high.
Akron leaned on Dakody Clemmer for the next for innings on the mound, and Clemmer spun three perfect innings, but was tagged for a run in the fifth. Lipcius was struck by a pitch to start the inning, advanced to third base on a single by Lester, and scored on a fielder’s choice.
Erie turned to Jesus Rodriguez for his second start at Double-A, but the right-hander could only manage four innings in the start. After Erie’s early lead, Akron brought a run across in the first inning to tie the game, working a hit batter, a pair of singles, and a sacrifice fly. When Erie had gotten their second run of the game in the second inning, Akron hit Rodriguez for another run in the home half of the frame with another sacrifice fly after a walk and a double.
Rodriguez stranded a runner at third base in a scoreless third inning, but allowed two doubles in the fourth inning for another run. Brad Bass took the mound for Erie until the eighth inning. Bass was shaky out of the gate for Erie, walking a pair of batters, including once with the bases loaded to give Akron a run. He recovered and retired seven consecutive batters while Erie held on to a 7-4 lead.
After Bass had allowed a pair of base hits in the eighth inning, he was lifted for Billy Lescher. With two outs, Lescher could not get out of the frame, and allowed a game-tying home run to Will Benson on the first pitch of the at-bat.
Nick Mikolajchak tossed the last two frames of the night for Akron, but Erie charged on him in the ninth inning. Riley Greene lead off with a single and a stolen base, and Dingler connected on his second triple of the game to put the SeaWolves ahead. Kerry Carpenter singled home Dingler for good measure, making it 9-7. Lescher recovered and pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the win.
Erie and Akron continue their seven game set on Friday at Canal Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Erie will return to UPMC Park on June 29 when they face Reading in a six game series.