Hartford tops Richmond in Squirrels’ opener

The Hartford Yard Goats were victorious in their inaugural contest Thursday afternoon, defeating the Richmond Flying Squirrels 5-4 at The Diamond.

Ricky Oropesa and Ryder Jones connected on a pair of late-inning home runs for Richmond, pulling the Squirrels to within a run. Hartford closer and Connecticut native Matt Carasiti picked up the final three outs to secure the memorable franchise win for Hartford and earn the save. Richmond native Matt Winn impressed in his Double-A debut with a pair of hits and an RBI in the defeat. The Squirrels played the contest as the road game due to the Hartford Park not being ready for play. Game two of the season and series is Friday at 7:35 PM at The Diamond.

The Squirrels grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning off LHP Kyle Freeland with consecutive doubles from Ryder Jones and Matt Winn. It was the only run allowed by Freeland (1-0) who worked five innings to earn the win. Freeland struck out three and used 85 pitches in his first Double-A outing.

Squirrels starter Tyler Beede was sharp despite taking the loss. Hartford scratched across with a pair of runs off Beede in the fifth inning to take a 2-1 lead. Pinch hitter Dillon Thomas lifted a double to left field that knocked off of Myles Schroder’s glove. Rosell Herrera brought home Thomas with a base hit up the middle and scored the go-ahead run on a line drive single of the bat of Pat Valaika. Beede ramped up the fastball and managed to strikeout out the next two batters to limit the damage and strand a pair of runners.

Beede finished with six strikeouts over five innings of work. Pedro Rodriguez relieved Beede to start the sixth inning and allowed three runs as the Squirrels devolved defensively. Yard Goats third baseman Ryan McMahon opened the inning with a walk. Former Squirrel catcher Jackson Williams then followed with a groundball to third base. Tyler Jones made a diving stop on the play but his throw was low, placing runners on the corners. Hartford relief pitcher Konner Wade laid down a two-out sacrifice bunt leading to a chaotic play that scored McMahon and moved runners into second and third. Rosell Herrera followed with his third hit of the afternoon, a two-run double to right center for a 5-1 advantage.

Ricky Oropesa brought the Squirrels to within a pair of runs with a monster home run to right centerfield.  It was his 29^th homer as a member of the Squirrels, placing him one behind Jarrett Parker for the franchise career record. Ryder Jones added a solo homer to lead off the top of the 9^th and pull the Squirrels to within one.

The Squirrels and Yard Goats will play game two of the series on Friday night at 7:05 PM. LHP Adalberto Mejia will take the mound for Richmond against Hartford’s RHP Zach Jemiola. The Flying Squirrels 2016 home schedule begins April 14^th at 6:35 PM against the Altoona Curve with Hall of Fame Running Back Jerome Bettis throwing out the first pitch. Season tickets, mini plans, and group packages are currently available by contacting the box office at 804-359-FUNN or online at www.squirrelsbaseball.com.

The Squirrels will be the visiting team at The Diamond for Homerun Weekend from April 7^th-9^th for a three-day, four game series against the Hartford Yard Goats due to uncertainty surrounding the Hartford ballpark opening date.