Six-run seventh dooms Hogs' bid to force game five
Published on September 6, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - A six-run seventh inning was too much for the Winston-Salem Warthogs to overcome as they fell 11-5 to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in game four of the Southern Division playoffs on Saturday afternoon at Ernie Shore Field.
The loss marks the end of the 2008 season as Winston-Salem lost the best-of-five series with the Pelicans three games to one. Saturday afternoon's game also marked the final Warthogs game at Ernie Shore Field.
The Warthogs took a 3-2 lead into the seventh inning, but reliever Michael Dubee ran into trouble early in the inning, giving up back-to-back singles by Phillip Britton and Gorkys Hernandez. Later, he gave up a two-run double to Ernesto Mejia before Matt Davis came in to relieve Dubee.
Davis, Wander Perez and Nate Jones combined to get the final two outs of the inning, but not before four more runs came in for the Pelicans. Myrtle Beach would add three more in the eighth to make the score 11-3.
The Warthogs managed a couple runs in the bottom of the eighth. Joe Persichina and John Shelby led off with singles. An Estee Harris RBI groundout made it 11-4, then pinch-hitter Ronnie Gaines smacked a double to score Shelby.
Persichina went 3-for-4 on the game to lead the Warthogs offense.
Winston-Salem scored three runs in the second on back-to-back-RBI hits by Greg Paiml and Dale Mollenhauer. Francisco Hernandez followed with a sacrifice fly to give Winston-Salem an early 3-1 lead.
Warthogs starter Jacob Rasner pitched five solid innings, allowing just two runs off six hits, striking out seven. But he was outdueled by Pelicans starter Ryne Reynoso, who lasted seven innings and gave up three runs while striking out three.
The Warthogs finished the regular season 71-68, their first winning season since 2005. They will move to a new downtown ballpark in 2009.
The Pelicans will advance to face Potomac in the Carolina League championship series. Game one of the series will be Monday at 7 p.m. in Myrtle Beach.
Carolina League Stories from September 6, 2008
- Six-run seventh dooms Hogs' bid to force game five - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans Win Southern Divisional Series With 11-5 Game Four Victory - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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