The Erie SeaWolves had one of their best seasons in years that led them to a first place spot in the Double-A Eastern League.The SeaWolves controlled their own destiny early afternoon on Sunday, Sept. 18 and needed a win during the final game of the season against the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

The SeaWolves were unable to pull out a win and lost to Richmond with a final score of 3-1. However, with the Akron Rubber Ducks win over the Bowie Baysox, the SeaWolves acquired their playoff spot allowing them to progress to their first playoff game since 2013. The SeaWolves played against the Richmond Flying Squirrels once again on Tuesday, Sept. 20 for the first game for the best out of three series.

There were many fans in attendance that were ready to cheer on the local minor league baseball team. This game brought in the most fans almost all season leaving UPMC Park electrified. The final score of the game was 9-3 resulting in a victory for the SeaWolves. The majority of the scoring occurred in the fifth inning where the SeaWolves scored four runs and in the eighth inning where they scored three runs.

They also scored in the second and third inning. Game two was played away from home in Richmond Virginia on Thursday, Sept. 22. The final score of the game was 6-2 with the SeaWolves carrying out another win. Although the game was played in Richmond, Erie fans were still cheering for the SeaWolves at a watch party located at the club at UPMC Park. Many fans were in attendance and got to enjoy food, buy merchandise, and enjoy an exciting atmosphere.

The scoring for the SeaWolves started in the first inning where they put two runs on the board. However, the majority of the scoring for Erie happened during the fifth inning where the SeaWolves obtained three runs. The additional run took place during the eighth inning. Because the SeaWolves won the first two games of the series, there was no game three.

Erie then moved on to the Eastern League Championship for the first time in franchise history where they faced the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, Somerset Patriots, for which Laker alumni Matt Minnick pitches.

This series would also be a best out of three series, with game one being played in Erie and the other two games being played in Somerset. Game one was played at UPMC Park on Saturday, Sept. 15. There were 5,040 fans in attendance ready to cheer on the Erie SeaWolves. The game included fan activities and entertainment, a 50/50 raffle, and food.

The first run was scored in the bottom of the fourth inning when outfielder Parker Meadows hit a homerun on a fly ball to right field. In the bottom of the fifth, in-fielder Gage Workman scored a homerun on a flyball to the left center field. Catcher Michael De La Cruz scored in the fifth inning as well. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Workman singled on a ground ball to Patriot’s center fielder Jasson Dominguez, who is one of the Yankees top minor league prospects.

Outfielder Parker Meadows scored along with in fielder Danny Serretti. The last run of the game for the SeaWolves was scored by catcher Jon Rosoff in the bottom of the seventh inning. The final score of the game was 6-5 with a Sea-Wolves victory.

The SeaWolves will now have a chance to win the Double-A Eastern League Championship when they play game two in Somerset PA