Edenton Strikes for Three in the Fifth as Marlins Fall 5-1
Published on June 2, 2014 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Morehead City Marlins News Release
EDENTON, N.C.- The Marlins dropped their sixth straight contest to open up the 2014 season on Monday, falling 5-1 to the first place, undefeated Edenton Steamers. The difference maker was a solo home run to left field from Steamers' designated hitter Orlando Olivera in the fourth to give Edenton a 2-1 lead. They tacked on three more insurance runs in the fifth.
Marlins' starter Sam Mersing lasted just four innings plus two batters, becoming the fifth straight Marlins' starter to fail to record an out in the fifth inning. He allowed four runs, three of which were earned, walked two while striking out three before being lifted with two of his runners on base and nobody out in the fifth. He did not throw all that badly, but some key plays including two errors in the first two innings hindered him from having efficient innings.
"He threw well enough to win," head coach Sam Carel said. "There were some plays that were left out there on the field."
Logan Hershenow, making his first appearance for the Marlins after a team-high 29 appearances for Eastern Kentucky during the NCAA season, gave up a couple of hits in the fifth and allowed both of Mersing's inherited runners to score, giving the Steamers a 5-1 lead that would then remain intact for the duration of the game. Hershenow was charged officially with one unearned run on two hits over two innings of work in what was an otherwise solid debut for the right-hander.
"He's going to bring some toughness in there," Carel said. "He is going to be able to get a lot of outs for us."
Once again, however, it was inconsistency throughout the lineup that hurt the Marlins in their quest to come from behind and win their first ballgame of the season. Morehead City left one-out runners at second in each of the first two innings, and scored just one run in the fourth inning despite having the bases loaded with one man down.
That lone run came on an RBI groundout from Kirk Morgan. His groundout was the beginning of 15 straight Marlins hitters set down by Edenton pitching before an innocuous two-out walk to Johnny Caputo in the ninth.
"They need to relax and not press," Carel said. "If we relax, the bats will start rolling. It's in their nature [to feel pressure]. Some of the guys are pressing. All it takes is a couple of hits to get you going again. We will be fine."
Mersing gets the loss in the game, his first decision of the season after a no-decision in 5.2 innings of work on May 27 at Fayetteville. The win goes to was Jeremy Walker, who tossed six innings and allowed just the lone run on four hits. The Edenton bullpen combined for three hitless innings following his departure.
Tyler Burden singled twice in the game, while Trent Leimkuehler and Caputo each doubled in their Marlins' debut.
The Marlins will return home for their third home game of the season, and seventh game overall on Tuesday evening as they host the High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms at 7:05. It is Teacher Appreciation Night, where all teachers and school staff get in free to Big Rock Stadium, and it is also Mustache Night, where the best mustachioed fans in the crowd will earn a prize.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 18th season in 2014, the CPL features 14 teams playing North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 1,100 alumni drafted and 65 alums - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (@CPLBaseball).
Coastal Plain League Stories from June 2, 2014
- Blowfish Improve to 3-3 Behind 5-4 Win over Mustangs - Lexington County Blowfish
- Dogs Pound Stars 9-3 - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Sharks Shutout Hi-Toms, Win Second Straight - Wilmington Sharks
- Edenton Strikes for Three in the Fifth as Marlins Fall 5-1 - Morehead City Marlins
- Quantrill Named PAC-12 Freshman Player of the Year - Morehead City Marlins
- Barkell and O'Donnell named CPL players of the week - Coastal Plain
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