CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Game Notes

Published on September 3, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Myrtle Beach Pelicans (89-51) vs. Winston-Salem Warthogs (71-68)

Wednesday, September 3 -- 7:05 PM

BB&T Coastal Field -- Myrtle Beach, SC

Southern Divisional Series Game #1

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Pelicans begin the Southern Division Series against the Winston-Salem Warthogs, having claimed both half championships in the Southern Division. The Pelicans finished the season with the most wins (89) in all of affiliated minor league baseball. They also recorded the best home (46-23), road (43-28), divisional (39-21) and overall (89-51) records in the Carolina League. They established a franchise record for victories in a single-season, besting the 2000 Pelicans, who posted 88 wins. Winston-Salem charged into the post-season, by taking 14 of their final 18 games of the season to blow by the Kinston Indians. The Warthogs (71-68) have the fourth best record in the league behind the Pelicans, Potomac Nationals and Kinston Indians. Myrtle Beach won the season series (14-6) against the Warthogs, but Winston-Salem rides a three-game win streak against the Pelicans into this series.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: Game one will feature a left-right matchup, as the Pelicans send their ace southpaw Scott Diamond against righty Matt Long for Winston-Salem.

Diamond: Finished the season tied for the most wins in the Carolina League with 12 despite making just 15 starts for Myrtle Beach. He finished just shy of enough innings to earn the league ERA-title, but his mark of 2.79 would have placed him in front of Carolina League Pitcher of the Year Jake Arrieta (2.87) of the Frederick Keys. Diamond was named the Pelicans 2008 Pelicans Pitcher of the Year. The left-hander has been dominant at home, posting a record of 7-1, with an ERA of just 2.42. He enters the post-season on a high note, tossing a complete-game shutout against the Wilmington Blue Rocks in game one of a doubleheader on 8/26. Has faced and beaten Winston-Salem twice, allowing three combined earned runs in 12 total innings.

Currently in his first professional season, Diamond was signed as an non-drafted free agent in August of 2007 after he dazzled for the Martinsville Mustangs of the Coastal Plain League (Summer Collegiate). Played his collegiate ball for three years at SUNY Binghamton.

Long: Rides a dominant stretch into the post-season, including a dazzling performance against the Pelicans two starts back. In his final tune-up for the Southern Division Series, Long allowed just one run and six hits to the Kinston Indians. The start prior, Long handcuffed Myrtle Beach for six innings, shutting out the birds on just two hits. In his only other start against the Pelicans, he took the loss while conceding four runs - two earned - on eight hits in just 4 2/3 innings. Began the year as a reliever, making six appearances out of the bullpen before entering the starting rotation.

The Granville, OH native went 9-3 with a 5.43 ERA last season for the Kannapolis Intimidators. In 2006, he was rated the #9 prospect in White Sox chain according to Baseball America. Played collegiately at Miami, where he is second on the single-season saves list with nine. He was drafted twice (2002-- LA Dodgers & 2005--San Francisco Giants) and did not sign with either.

NEW ATTENDANCE RECORD: On Saturday, August 30th, the Pelicans broke the overall 10-year franchise attendance record of 234,020 (2000). A total of 242,397 fans attended 68 official Pelicans home openings during the 2008 season.

TEAM AWARDS ANNOUNCED: Pelicans ace Scott Diamond has been named Pitcher of the Year. Recently promoted outfielder Willie Cabrera was named 2008 Most Valuable Player. Utility infielder Robert Marcial is the recipient of the Pelicans Community Service award.

RECORD BOOKS RE-WRITTEN: The Pelicans essentially re-wrote the offensive section of the franchise's record book. The 2008 Pelicans established the following records during the course of the regular season (Records Broken in Parentheses): Team Batting Average - .260 (.257 - 2006); Runs Scored - 764 (637 - (1999); Hits - 1,217 (1,193 - 1999); Doubles - 298 (248 - 2005); Home Runs - 153 (105 - 1999); RBI - 705 (578 - 1999); Walks - 518 (484 - 2006). The Pelicans also shattered numerous individual records, and those record-breaking performances will be honored in a pre-game ceremony tonight.

Check out the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from September 3, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central