The Flying Squirrels look to end the season on top

The Squirrels made the last weeks of the regular season both dramatic and exciting, and it’s a trend that they are continuing into the playoffs. After confidently defeating the Harrisburg Senators, the Squirrels now have their sights set on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Can the Squirrels squirrel away another playoff series victory?

September 13, 2011; 11:24 AM • by Matt Sadler

Buy tickets to see the Squirrels play in the Eastern League Championship Series HERE

Lucky, fortunate, and fortuitous are words that have come to mind when thinking about the Richmond Flying Squirrels as they stand at the precipice of an Eastern League Crown. Many things have gone their way over the past 3 weeks: Bowie’s late season collapse, the bizarre ending to the final game of the season, and the massive flooding in Harrisburg. It was that flooding that forced the entire Western Division Series to be moved to Richmond. While the Senators were listed as the home team for Games 1 and 2, it was Richmond who was able to play in their home stadium. Let me be clear: one should not put down this team for their fortunes, because despite all the gifts handed to them, the Squirrels still had to do their part and win some games.

Last week

The series started off well for the Squirrels. In Game 1, Daryl Maday took the hill and pitched a beauty, going seven innings and giving up no runs in the 6-0 romp. Chris Dominguez led the offensive attack with a long homer to left center and chipping in another RBI on a single hit to the opposite field. Game 2 was a fierce battle that wasn’t settled in the normal 9 innings. Jason Stevenson kept Richmond in the game as he held to Harrisburg to 2 runs. The Richmond offense wasn’t able to garner the lead until the 11th, when they loaded the bases and pushed the decisive runs across in the 4-2 victory. In Game 3, Justin Fitzgerald put on a show as he pitched into the 8th before giving up a run. Dominguez provided all the necessary offense as he belted a 2-run shot that would wind of giving the Squirrels the 2-1 Victory.

This week

Richmond will have their hands full with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays). The Fisher Cats led the Eastern Division with a 77-65, and they won the Easter Division Championship Series in 4 games over the Reading Phillies. New Hampshire leads the season series 4-2 and they swept Richmond in a 3 game series back in early August.

Richmond will stick with the starting rotation from the previous series. The Squirrels will start Chuck Lofgren and Daryl Maday in New Hampshire. Jason Stevenson and Justin Fitzgereald will pitch in Richmond. If the series goes to a 5th game, Coach Machemer can either go with Ryan Verdugo or back to Chuck Lofgren.

The Squirrels are hoping to RED OUT the Diamond. As such, they are asking that fans wear their favorite red shirt. All red apparel in the Squirrels Nest presented by Nike Team, excluding 2011 Eastern League Playoff t-shirts, is currently on sale for 20% off of the original price. The Squirrels Nest presented by Nike Team is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on non-game days.

Also, make sure to stay after the game for a fireworks celebration following each game.

This is an exciting time for Richmond, so it’s time to get your tickets for the Diamond and watch as the Flying Squirrels bring home the title.

VA Governor Bob McDonnell and New Hampshire Governor John Lynch have agreed to a wager based upon the outcome of the upcoming series: Should Richmond win, Gov. Lynch will send Gov. McDonnell a gallon of pure New Hampshire maple syrup. Should New Hampshire win, Gov. McDonnell will send Gov. Lynch a gift basket of Virginia Diner specialty peanuts, the official peanut of the Flying Squirrels.

 

photo by Gamma Man

September 13, 2011 11:24 AM 0