CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Pelican Error Propels Sox 4-3 in 10

Published on May 5, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


Salem, VA (May 5, 2011) - Both teams used errors to score a run in an exciting ninth inning, and Salem (18-7) took advantage of another Myrtle Beach miscue to walk off with a 4-3 victory in the tenth to prevail in the series opener at LewisGale Field. With Derrik Gibson at second base and two outs in the last of the tenth, Zach Gentile bounced a slow grounder in between the mound and first. Pelican reliever Trevor Hurley chased it down, but flipped it errantly toward first-baseman Mitch Hilligoss. The ball bounced away and Gibson sprinted home from third, igniting the celebration to Salem's league-best 18th win of the season.

Gentile's trickler was ruled a single, his fourth hit and one of Salem's 13 in the ballgame. But despite out-hitting Myrtle Beach 13-6, the Red Sox were three outs away from a loss when the Pelicans scored once in the ninth to take a 3-2 lead. Myrtle (17-10) took its first lead of the game when Jared Prince's grounder to short bounced off the backhanded stab attempt from Gibson at shortstop, allowing Michael Olt to scurry home from third. The Pelicans could have erupted for a big inning, but Kendal Volz entered from the Sox bullpen and slammed the door, stranding two inherited runners.

In the last of the ninth, Gentile lifted a lead-off single to left and Jeremy Hazelbaker reached safely on a bunt down the third base line, pushing Gentile to second. Peter Hissey smacked a double-play ball to second-base, but after recording the first out on the flip to the shortstop, Andres James bounced the relay toss to first past Holligoss, letting Gentile hurry around and score to tie the game. Hissey stole second and moved to third on Reynaldo Rodriguez' infield single, but Dan Butler struck out to send the game to extra innings.

The Red Sox took an early 2-0 lead, but squandered numerous opportunities to take greater command of the ballgame. Salem had three runners thrown out at third or home in the first four innings and stranded 12 men on the night. More often than not, a painful strikeout halted Red Sox momentum, as Sox hitters K'd to end innings seven times in the game.

Still, the Salem pitchers kept the Sox in the game. Ryan Pressly allowed two runs in the fourth that tied the game, but was perfect in his other four innings on the mound, receiving a no decision. Jeremiah Bayer shut down the Pelicans offense without a hit for his first three innings out of the pen before surrendering a run on two hits in the ninth. Then Kendal Volz held the Birds at bay in the tenth to earn his first win of the season.

Gentile led the Sox from the bottom of the lineup with four hits and two runs scored, while Gibson, Hazelbaker, and Hissey each chipped in two hits apiece.

The Sox and Pelicans continue their four-game series on Friday at LewisGale Field. A pair of skilled lefties are scheduled to pitch, as Salem's Chris Hernandez will throw opposite Myrtle's Robbie Erlin. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.

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Carolina League Stories from May 5, 2011


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