It’s a special thing when the Erie SeaWolves make an impressive defensive play that is recognized nationally on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Top 10 plays.
In less than one week, the ‘Wolves made the Top 10 twice on two nearly identical plays in Akron.
It started on Aug. 16 during a 7-6 SeaWolves win in 11 innings. Erie took a 7-6 lead in the 11th inning and needed to stop the RubberDucks from scoring in the bottom of the inning to get the win.
With a placed runner on second base because of the extra-inning rule, Joe Donovan popped up a bunt. SeaWolves first baseman Jake Holton came flying in and caught the bunt before firing a throw from his knees to second base for the double play. It came in as the No. 9 play that day.
On Sunday, Lael Lockhart was in some trouble on the mound in the fourth inning down 4-3. With Gabriel Rodriguez on second base, Connor Kokx popped up a bunt that was headed into foul territory down the third-base line. Lockhart got off the mound and made a diving catch before firing a throw from his knees back to second base for the double play. The ‘Wolves rallied for an 8-6 win to complete the series.
The play was the No. 1 play during the Top 10 on Sunday.
No. 1 picks on the way
The ‘Wolves are home at UPMC Park to play 12 games over 13 days. Baseball fans will have plenty of reasons to check out those games, including some of the biggest prospects in baseball playing for the other team.
Jackson Holliday, son of former major league player Matt Holliday, is in town this week with the Bowie Baysox. Holliday was taken first overall in the 2022 draft and is the No. 1 prospect in baseball.
Paul Skenes, who was the first pick in the 2023 draft by the Pirates, has been promoted to Altoona. He is scheduled to make one start next week at UPMC Park. Skenes, who led LSU to a national title this year, is the No. 3 prospect in baseball.
Earlier this season, Pirates prospect Henry Davis played at UPMC Park for Altoona. He was the first overall pick in the 2021 draft.
More: SeaWolves infielder Gage Workman makes SportsCenter Top 10
More: A top Tigers prospect earned a promotion to Double-A Erie. His big brother played a part.
Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @ETNreisenweber.