Erie SeaWolves begin bid for rare three-peat, open Division Series at Altoona
When it comes to a three-peat, no matter the sport, it is one of the hardest things to pull off. With all the injuries, and the usual amount of items that go into a minor league season, this season has been one, for Erie SeaWolves manager Andrew Graham, more challenging than most. Among Eastern League teams, only the Vermont Reds (1984-1986) and the Harrisburg Senators, who won four in a row from 1996 to 1999, have ever pulled this off. Tigers affiliate wise, the last team to do it was the Montgomery Rebels from 1975 to 1977. There are a few Hall of Famers you may be familiar with in Alan Trammell and Jack Morris among the core of the 1984 Detroit Tigers team.
And while the headlines naturally pit Erie’s Kevin McGonigle, MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 overall prospect, against Altoona’s Konnor Griffin, ranked No. 1, this Division Series is about more than just two elite bats. Erie has leaned on everyone in the lineup, not just one person. From Jake Holton leading the team in home runs, John Peck contributing right away after his callup from West Michigan to Josue Briceño’s power since July, and a bullpen that carried the club through injuries.
Altoona, meanwhile, surrounds Griffin with Termarr Johnson’s patient approach, Esmerlyn Valdez’s power potential (hitting 20 home runs at High-A Greensboro), and Mitch Jebb’s versatility. The matchup is less a one-on-one duel and more a showcase of two prospect-heavy rosters trying to extend their seasons.
Record-setting season
The SeaWolves (39–30 second half, 84–54 overall) ended the regular season Sunday with a 7–5 win over Altoona, highlighted by McGonigle’s first-inning homer and a five-run sixth inning that flipped the game. The victory clinched the second-half Southwest Division crown, giving Erie both halves for the first time in franchise history. Their 84 wins tied a single-season record set in 2001
A tale of two staffs and a resilient, veteran roster
The story of 2025 has been one of adaptation. In the first half, Erie’s pitching staff led the Eastern League in ERA (3.08) while holding opponents to a .211 average. After injuries thinned the rotation, the second-half staff ERA rose to 4.03, tied for fourth-worst in the league, with opponents hitting .232
Still, Erie found ways to win. Right-hander Jaden Hamm, who recently added a wrinkle to his delivery by bringing his hands over his head in his windup, went down with an injury. Joseph Montalvo was also lost for the season. Left-hander Jake Miller, rehabbing in Lakeland, missed four months, and Troy Melton was promoted. That left gaps in the rotation, but Max Alba and Andrew Sears, up from West Michigan, helped fill the void.
 Graham was forced to lean heavily on the bullpen, and the group delivered. On a 10–2 road trip through New England in late August, Erie relievers combined for a 2.65 ERA and stacked up 27⅓ consecutive scoreless innings. Cuban right-hander Richard Guasch, a signing out of the independent leagues, has provided a steady veteran presence in the bullpen.
Garrett Burhenn will get the start on Tuesday and left-hander Andrew Sears will get the nod when Erie returns home on Thursday.
Familiar foes:
The SeaWolves and Curve played 18 times this season, with Erie winning 11, including five of six in the season’s final series to secure the tiebreaker
Altoona’s lineup is anchored by Griffin, Johnson, and Valdez, while Erie boasts a top-heavy prospect core of McGonigle, Briceño, and Max Clark. First baseman Jake Holton added 19 homers, and Roberto Campos, after struggling most of the second half of the season, has picked it up as of late, going 10-for-26 in September with four doubles and a home run.
🚨Moon Mammoths Walk-Off Win🚨
Roberto Campos with a sharp single through the infield to score John Peck and give Erie a 3-2 victory. @SamLebowitz_ on the call.
🌕🦣 pic.twitter.com/x656feBy9i— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) September 14, 2025
Three Erie pitchers to know
Austin Bergner, RHP — The franchise’s career strikeout leader has dominated Altoona this season, posting a 2.00 ERA in 18 innings.
Kenny Serwa, RHP — Reliable as a swingman, Serwa went 2–0 with a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings against the Curve.
Andrew Magno, LHP — A trusted late-inning lefty who logged nine innings with a 2.00 ERA against Altoona this year.
Three Altoona pitchers to know
Blake Townsend, LHP — Altoona’s breakout starter, who has worked nine straight scoreless innings in September.
Mike Walsh, RHP — A bridge reliever who gave up Thayron Liranzo’s game-tying double Sunday.
Justin Meis, RHP — A late-inning option who took the ninth in the finale before Erie walked it off.
What will decide it
For Erie, the key will be rediscovering first-half pitching form while continuing to produce power. The SeaWolves lead the Eastern League in home runs for the first time since 2009, with 130.
Meanwhile, Altoona’s ability to force long at-bats and test Erie’s bullpen depth could tilt a short series.
First pitch for Game 1 is Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Tickets for the 2025 Eastern League Playoffs are available at SeaWolves.com, by phone at 814-456-1300, or at the UPMC Park box office.
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Jerry McKennan