Hill's Triple Powers Richmond Squirrels to 5-3 Home Opener Win

RICHMOND, Va. — Turner Hill delivered the game-changing blow with a three-run triple off the right-field wall in the bottom of the third inning, propelling the Richmond Flying Squirrels to a 5-3 win over the Altoona Curve on April 8, 2026, at CarMax Park. The Flying Squirrels, the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, improved to 4-1 with their fourth straight victory, while the Curve fell to 0-5. The matchup marked the opener of Richmond's home stand, drawing a lively crowd to the Diamond neighborhood ballpark amid spring fever in the River City.

Richmond jumped ahead after shaking off an early 1-1 tie, plating the final three runs to secure the victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates' affiliate. Hill's clutch hit came with the bases loaded, shifting momentum decisively in the Squirrels' favor during the Eastern League contest. The win highlighted Richmond's offensive firepower early in the season, setting up a six-game series opener vibe at the riverfront venue.

The Squirrels carried their home stand momentum into the road trip, exploding for 12 runs in the 11th inning of an 18-6 rout over Altoona on April 30 at Peoples Natural Gas Field. That Thursday afternoon thriller boosted Richmond to 18-4 overall, underscoring their dominance over the struggling Curve, who sat at 6-16. Back in Richmond, fans at CarMax Park — the team's modern home since 2022 — celebrated the home opener as a signature moment for Virginia's minor league baseball scene.