The Richmond Flying Squirrels opened their home schedule with a dramatic win, defeating the Altoona Curve 3–2 on Tuesday night at CarMax Park in Richmond, Virginia.
The victory came in front of a sellout crowd on Opening Day and marked Richmond’s third consecutive win early in the season.
Match Summary
The game remained tightly contested throughout the night. Both teams were tied 2–2 heading into the eighth inning before Richmond delivered the decisive moment.
Sabin Ceballos hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Dayson Croes to score, giving Richmond a 3–2 lead.
In the ninth inning, reliever RJ Dabovich closed the game and secured the save, sealing the victory for the Flying Squirrels.
Key Moments
| Inning | Event |
|---|---|
| 1st | Richmond scored the opening run |
| 3rd | Flying Squirrels added another run |
| 6th | Altoona tied the game with a solo home run |
| 8th | Sabin Ceballos sacrifice fly scored Croes |
| 9th | RJ Dabovich recorded the save |
Team Performance
Richmond improved its early-season record to 3–1 with the win, while Altoona dropped to 0–4 after another close loss.
The Opening Day matchup drew a full crowd at CarMax Park, creating a lively atmosphere as fans watched Richmond extend its winning streak.
The two teams will continue the series on Wednesday night with another matchup scheduled at the same venue.
Game Result and Records
| Team | Opponent | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Flying Squirrels | Altoona Curve | 3–2 | 3–1 |
| Altoona Curve | Richmond Flying Squirrels | 2–3 | 0–4 |
Standout Player Performances
Croes played a key role in Richmond’s offense, contributing throughout the game. He drove in one run and crossed the plate twice.
Ceballos delivered the most important offensive moment of the night with his go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.
Offensive Highlights
| Player | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Dayson Croes | 1 RBI, 2 runs scored |
| Sabin Ceballos | Go-ahead sacrifice fly |
Pitching Effort Seals the Win
Richmond’s pitching staff played a major role in holding Altoona to just two runs.
Darien Smith earned the win in relief during his Double-A debut, pitching four innings and allowing only one run.
Starting pitcher Cesar Perdomo also made his Double-A debut and delivered a solid outing, allowing one unearned run while striking out four batters in 3.2 innings.
Dabovich then handled the ninth inning, securing the save and completing the strong pitching performance.
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Series Continues in Richmond
With the Opening Day victory secured, Richmond will look to continue its momentum as the series against Altoona moves forward.
The teams are scheduled to meet again Wednesday night at CarMax Park, where the Flying Squirrels will attempt to extend their early-season winning streak.







