CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Merritt Carries Mudcats to Series Win

Published on July 2, 2014 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Zebulon, N.C. - Ryan Merritt pitched seven innings for the fourth straight time and the Carolina Mudcats backed up their ace with a 4-2 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats on Wednesday night at Five County Stadium. The Mudcats (8-6, 37-44) have won consecutive series for the first time this season. The Hillcats (7-6, 41-42) have lost three straight.

Merritt (9-2) won his third straight outing by holding the Hillcats to two runs on five hits across seven innings. He walked one and struck out five. All five hits off Merritt came in the first two innings, including a two-run homer by Tyler Tewell. The 22-year-old settled in to limit Lynchburg to two base runners over his final five innings and did not surrender a hit.

Elvis Araujo worked around an error and a base hit in the ninth to seal the win and earn his eighth save.

Cody Scarpetta (2-2) was haunted by an erratic command in the loss. He allowed three runs on six hits in just three innings. He walked five, including four in the third. The right-hander used over 40 pitches to retire the Mudcats in that frame.

LeVon Washington, Yhoxian Medina and Alex Monsalve finished with three hits apiece for the Mudcats.

Washington led off with his second home run of the season in Carolina's half of the first inning. The moon shot sailed over the high wall in right.

After Tewell put Lynchburg up 2-1 on his blast, the Mudcats went to work in the third against Scarpetta. Showing patience, the Mudcats took a 3-2 lead on two singles and four walks. Jeremy Lucas tied the game by scoring Medina from third on a double-play ball. Luigi Rodriguez lined a single through second base to plate Joe Sever.

The Mudcats added an insurance run in the fourth. Washington singled and advanced to third on a double by Medina. Sever launched a sac-fly to center, plating Washington for a 4-2 lead.

The Hillcats managed to load the bases on three walks in the eighth, but Josh Martin struck out Justin Bloxom to end the threat. With two on in the ninth, Araujo whiffed Daniel Carroll to preserve the win.

Carolina goes for the sweep of the Hillcats on Thursday, July 3, at Five County Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday night marks the first of three straight nights of fireworks. The Mudcats will celebrate Fourth of July Weekend with fireworks following their games with the Salem Red Sox on July 4 and 5. Tickets and other information are available by calling the box office at (919) 269-2287 or by logging on to carolinamudcats.com.

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Carolina League Stories from July 2, 2014


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