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 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Game Notes

April 30, 2008 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Myrtle Beach Pelicans (15-10) vs. Lynchburg Hillcats (10-15)

Wednesday, April 30 -- 6:05 PM

Lynchburg City Stadium -- Lynchburg, VA

Game #26, Road Game #14

TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCE: Myrtle Beach will be looking for their first series sweep of the season after securing their fifth consecutive series win in last night's 8-6 win over the Hillcats. The birds pounded out a season-high 14 hits to beat Lynchburg for the fourth time in five meetings thus far this season.

TODAY'S STARTING PITCHERS: Myrtle Beach will face their third-consecutive left-hander and sixth in the last seven games as Tony Watson makes the start for Lynchburg. Pelicans ace right-hander Tommy Hanson will make his fifth start of the season for the Pelicans.

Hanson: Currently leads the Carolina League in ERA (0.31) and strikeouts (38), while boasting an unblemished record of 3-0. He was named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week in each of the season's first two weeks after not permitting an earned run in his first four starts. That string was finally snapped by Salem in his last outing, but Hanson cruised to his longest outing of the season, allowing just four hits and a lone run over seven innings. The earned run, posted by the Avalanche in Hanson's final inning of work, snapped two streaks for the righty; a 17 1/3-inning scoreless string and a 28 1/3-inning stretch of not permitting an earned run.

The Tulsa, Oklahoma native is the #9 rated prospect in the Atlanta Braves system according to Baseball America. Last season, Hanson pitched in 15 games for the Rome Braves (2-6, 2.59) and 11 games for the Pelicans (3-3, 4.20). Was named the Pitcher of the Year for the Rome Braves. Hanson was selected to the Sally League All-Star Team.

Watson: Lost his first three decisions of the season before turning in five scoreless innings in his last outing to earn his first Carolina League win over the Kinston Indians. Although this will mark his sixth start, the lefty will make just his second start of the year at home. In his only other home appearance, he allowed a pair of runs to Potomac over 4 2/3 innings of work.

Originally from Sioux City, IA, Watson pitched in college for the Nebraska Corn Huskers. He helped guide "Big Red" to the 2005 College World Series in Omaha, NE. Selected by the Pirates in the ninth round of the 2007 draft, Watson spent time with both the short-season State College Spikes and Hickory Crawdads (A) in 2007.

NEARLY A PERFECT TEN: The Pelicans own the best record in the Carolina League over their last ten games (8-2), a mark that is two games better than the Potomac Nationals and the Frederick Keys, the only other CL teams with a winning-record during the span. Myrtle Beach has climbed to the cat-bird seat in the Southern Division during that time, picking up five games on Salem, four on Winston-Salem and three on Kinston. During the run, the birds have batted .271, which is 32 points higher than their season average of .239.

HOME COOKING: The Pelicans put up big offensive totals during their second homestand of the season. Against the Salem Avalanche, they put up a total of 23 runs, which was their highest series total of the season. Further, during the entire homestand, the Pelicans posted a total of 38 runs. For perspective, during the first homestand of the season, the Pelicans scored only 22 total runs. However, including this series, the Pelicans will spend 14-of-17 days away from BB&T Coastal Field over the next three weeks.

KEVIN "NINTH INNING" GUNDERSON: Pelicans closer Kevin Gunderson has been sensational this season. Gunderson has converted all seven of his save opportunities to this point, including saving both Pelicans victories in this series and each of their last three ballgames. Gunderson leads the Carolina League in the category and did not allow a run in any of his first eight appearances (4/24-4/26). That string ended in Monday's series lid-lifter as the Hillcats plated two runs (1 ER) off of the southpaw in the ninth inning.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR COMPLETE GAME NOTES OR LOG ON TO MYRTLEBEACHPELICANS.COM


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