CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Curcio Clubs First Home Run in 8-2 Victory

Published on June 12, 2015 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


ZEBULON, NC - Keith Curcio was 2-for-3 with a two-run double in the third and a solo home run in the fifth, Brandon Barker allowed just two early runs over six quality innings pitched and the Mudcats won their series opener against the Dash 8-2 at Five County Stadium on Friday night.

Barker (W, 2-1, 2.86 ERA) walked three and gave up two first inning Winston-Salem (25-35) runs, but the Mudcats (30-30) answered back with three in the third to take the lead. Dash starter James Dykstra (L, 3-4, 4.00 ERA) took the loss after giving up four runs on just three hits over seven innings pitched.

Dykstra started the third by hitting Joey Meneses with a pitch and would do the same two batters later with Johan Camargo at the plate. With one out and two on, Sean Godfrey put the Mudcats on the board for the first time with a RBI double to left. The hit cut the Winston-Salem lead to 2-1 and extended Godfrey's hitting streak to 11 straight. Curcio then followed with a two-run double and Carolina took a 3-2 lead.

Curcio was 2-for-3 with a run and three RBI in the series opening victory. He also clubbed his first home run of the season in the fifth to put Carolina up 4-2.

Barker allowed just the two first inning runs in his start and went on to keep the visiting Dash scoreless over the next five innings. He allowed just two runs on four hits and earned his second straight victory. Barker also walked four and struck out three.

The Mudcats led 4-2 through the seventh, but added four more runs after Dykstra left the game. With reliever Andre Wheeler in, the Mudcats went on to collect five hits and score four more runs. Camargo and Godfrey started the inning with back-to-back bunt hits and Curcio moved them up with a sacrifice bunt. Dustin Peterson then plated both runners with a double to left to give Carolina a 6-2 lead. Carlos Franco then added a two-out RBI double and Connor Lien finished the rally with a run scoring triple.

Barker left the game after the sixth and reliever Matt Marksberry pitched the final three innings. Marksberry (S, 2) did not allow a hit and struck out four while recorded his second save of the season.

Carolina took a 1-0 series lead with the victory and moved to 3-2 in their current home stand. The Mudcats continue their series with the Dash on Saturday night with the first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Five County Stadium. LHP Blair Walters will start for the Mudcats on Saturday and LHP Jordan Guerrero will start for the Dash.

All games air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM, Rock City 99.3 and Sports 1490 AM. Games are also streamed online at www.carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio and the TuneIn Radio app. TuneIn Radio is the official digital audio partner of MiLB.com.

Individual tickets are now available online at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium box office.

Premium Field Level seats are $12.00, Box Seats are $10.00 and Cattail Skybox Seats are $15.00. Full season ticket packages, half season ticket packages, group tickets and the "Muddy Unreal Deal" plan are also currently available for purchase.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 "Braves New World" season is the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and their fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Carolina Mudcats are in their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

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Carolina League Stories from June 12, 2015


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