The Detroit Tigers Double-A affiliate the Erie SeaWolves won the Eastern League Championship last night as they defeated the Somerset Patriots in game two of the finals 3-2. The Erie Seawolves have two of the Tigers’ top ten prospects from ITD Hao-Yu Lee and Tyler Melton on their roster and they have five of the top 25 by MLB pipeline in Lee, Melton, Max Anderson, Eric Silva, and Gage Workman. So how did Erie get there? They clinched a playoff spot by winning the first half going 38-29, they would finish the regular season 77-58.
Playoffs
Eastern League Division Series
Game 1:
The SeaWolves faced off against the Akron RubberDucks and they gave the ball to Austin Bergner who went six dominant innings as he didn’t allow a hit or a run; he would walk two and strike out in. The SeaWolves scored three runs as Gage Workman hit a solo home run in the top of the first, then in the top of the eighth they tacked on two more as Austin Murr doubled home Brady Allen and Carlos Mendoza as the SeaWolves took game one 3-0.
Game 2:
The SeaWolves would have the series evened up on them in game two as Carlos Pena got the start going 4.2 innings giving up three runs on four hits; he walked three and struck out five. Tyler Owens took the loss as he struggled going 0.2 innings giving up three unearned runs on two hits; he walked one and struck out two. The Erie offense had eight hits, and they even forced extras as they scored a run in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game. Liam Hicks led the offense going 2-4 while Austin Murr drove in two of the four runs with Chris Meyers and Max Anderson each driving in the other run in the 7-4 loss.
Game 3:
In the decisive game, three Erie sent Jake Higginbottom out for a spot start as he went one inning not allowing a run to reach base as he struck out two. Garrett Burhenn got the bulk work going 3.2 innings giving up one run on four hits; he walked one and struck out four. The SeaWolves would win 2-1 to advance to the Championship series with Max Anderson doubling home Liam Hicks in the bottom of the second and Hicks drove home Austin Murr in the bottom of the fifth to make it 2-1.
Championsip Series
Game 1:
The SeaWolves game on ready-to-go in game one as they put up nine runs. The scoring started in the bottom of the first, with the bases loaded Liam Hicks was hit by a pitch making it 1-1, then in the bottom of the second Carlos Mendoza singled home Brady Allen to make it 2-2. In the bottom of the fifth with the score 4-2 Patriots the Erie offense took the lead starting with a groundout by Austin Murr that drove home Carlos Mendoza then Chris Meyers hit a two-run home run to make it 5-4 Erie. In the bottom of the eighth with the score still 5-4 the SeaWolves took complete control starting with an RBI single by Ben Malgeri that scored Max Anderson then Carlos Mendoza hit a bases-clearing double that scored Malgeri, Liam Hicks, and Brady Allen; Mendoza tried to stretch it out trying to go to third but was thrown out. The game ended at 9-5 with the SeaWolves taking control of the series.
Game 2:
In the series clincher, the SeaWolves scored in the first two innings then it was up to the pitching. In the top of the first Chris Meyers singled home Austin Murr then in the top of the second Murr drew a based loaded walk to make it 2-0 before Meyers singled home Brady Allen to make it 3-0. The Patriots got two runs in the bottom of the seventh to make it 3-2. Austin Bergner was at it again going six shutout innings giving up two hits; he walked one and struck out eight. Tyler Owens pitched the final two frames, he didn’t allow a base runner and struck out four to secure the SeaWolves Championship.
Top Playoff Performers
Austin Bergner
Bergner made two starts in the postseason going 2-0, he didn’t allow a run and just two hits; he walked three and struck out 17. He finished the 2024 season made 23 appearances with 22 of those coming as starts going 3-4 with a 4.72 ERA, a 1.45 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts in 89.2 innings. At Erie he made ten starts going 3-2 with a 2.34 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts in 50 innings.
Max Anderson
Anderson this postseason hit .250 with a .629 OPS; he had a double, two RBI, two runs scored, and two walks. This season he hit .266 with a .702 OPS; he had 22 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs, 76 RBI< 64 runs scored, 35 walks, and a stolen base. With Erie he played in five games hitting .182 with a .455 OPS; he had two doubles and three RBI.
Gage Workman
Workman this season hit .222 with a .777 OPS; he had a double, a home run, an RBI, two runs scored, three walks, and three intentional walks. He spent the whole season with Erie playing in 126 games hitting .280 with a .842 OPS; he had 29 doubles, six triples, 18 home runs, 89 RBI, 85 runs scored, 65 walks, and 30 stolen bases.
Chris Meyers
Meyers despite a bad batting average delivered clutch moments en route to the Championship, he hit .190 with a .666 OPS; he had two home runs, five RBI, and two runs scored. This season all at Erie he played in 122 games hitting .256 with a .772 OPS; he had 23 doubles, 18 home runs, 58 RBI, 67 runs scored, 46 walks, and four stolen bases.
Wrap Up
This is Erie’s third straight season advancing to the Championship, in the first one in 2022 they lost in three games to the Somerset Patriots, last season they swept the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and obviously this season took care of the Patriots. Is it possible Erie could do it again next season and go for a three pear with the potential of outfielder Max Clark, infielder Kevin McGonigle, catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo, RHP Jaden Hamm, and outfielder Roberto Campos all being on the roster we shall see but the Tigers future even with the current run they are on looks to be very bright.
