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CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Double Down Avalanche, Sweep Series

April 27, 2006 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH S.C. - For the second time this season the Pelicans have swept a series from an opponent. It's a feat that eluded the Pelicans a year ago, but the `06 version of the Birds has shown that they are crafty with a broomstick. On Thursday night Myrtle Beach took both games in a doubleheader against the Salem Avalanche. The Pelicans edged the Avs in game one, 2-1, and completed the sweep with a 6-4 victory in the night cap.

Game one saw the two Southern Division rivals complete a suspended game from Wednesday night. At the start of game one the Pelicans led 1-0 entering the top of the 3rd inning, which is when the rain came an evening ago. The Birds led by the slimmest of margins until the top of the 5th inning when the Avalanche battled back and tied the game with one swing. Salem RF Francisco Caraballo blasted a solo home run, his second of the series, in the top of the 5th inning to knot the score at 1-1.

In the bottom of the 6th the Pelicans displayed some power of their own. With one out and the bases empty DH Michael Rozema lofted a high drive over the right-centerfield wall, his second home run of the year, to give the Birds the lead for good, 2-1.

Myrtle Beach starter Charlie Morton did not allow a hit in two innings on the hill on Wednesday night, but with the suspension of play Morton didn't see any action on Thursday. Instead James Parr (W, 1-0) took the ball in the top of the 3rd and proceeded to earn his first victory of the season with a dazzling six inning performance that saw him give up just one run on three hits. Parr fanned five in the win. In the top of the 9th closer Dan Smith (S, 5) logged his Carolina League leading 5th save of the season. Smith has now earned five saves in his last five outings. Salem reliever Anthony DeWitt (L, 0-1) was charged with the loss after giving up the solo home run to Rozema.

With the win the Pelicans improved their record in one-run games to 9-0 this season.

In game two the Pelicans jumped out to an early lead thanks to a two-run double courtesy of C Clint Sammons, who drove in five runs in the four-game series. Sammons knocked in LF Brandon Jones, who reached on a single, and 3B Van Pope, who walked earlier in the inning.

With the Pelicans on top by a pair, 2-0, the Avalanche clawed back and tied the game in the top of the 2nd inning when DH Matt Cunningham delivered an RBI single, and 3B Billy Hart stole third and came across the plate on an error by Sammons on the throw to the bag.

In the bottom half of the 2nd Pelicans 2B J.C. Holt put the Pelicans back on top with an RBI single to right field, scoring RF Steven Doetsch, who doubled earlier in the inning. The Holt base hit put the Birds on top 3-2.

An inning later the Pelicans effectively put the game out of reach thanks to another longball. This time, the hero from Tuesday night's thriller of a ballgame, SS Diory Hernandez hammered his third home run of the year, a three-run blast to give the Birds a 6-2 advantage. Salem would fight back with a run in the 4th and another in the 5th, but the Pelicans held on to win their 5th straight game, and their 7th in-a-row at home.

Pelicans starter Jake Stevens (W, 1-4) earned his elusive first win of the season after lasting five innings in which he allowed four runs on eight hits. Reliever Zach Schreiber (S, 2) took home his second save of the year after completing the final two frames in scoreless fashion.

At the plate Myrtle Beach was led by DH Brandon Jones who went 2-3 and extended his hitting streak to 11-straight games this season. Dating back to last year Jones has hit safely in 16 consecutive games in a Pelicans uniform. Hernandez's 3rd home run of the year gave him the team-lead in the HR category and also added three more RBI to his season totals, giving him a team-best 14 RBI.

On Thursday night the Pelicans welcome the Lynchburg Hillcats (Pittsburgh Pirates) to town for a three-game series. The Pelicans send RHP Jose Ascanio to the mound, while Lynchburg counters with LHP Kyle Bloom. First pitch is set for 7:02 pm, with gates swinging open at 6:02 pm. For tickets please call 843-918-6000 or purchase tickets online at myrtlebeachpelicans.com. Fans purchasing tickets for any game in the month of April will receive a FREE Pelicans cap.

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Carolina League Stories from April 27, 2006


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