CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Hold Off Rocks Charge To Win, 4-3

Published on April 5, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


WILMINGTON, DE - The Pelicans shrugged off a ninth inning comeback attempt by the Blue Rocks and claimed their second victory in as many nights at Frawley Stadium, downing Wilmington, 4-3.

Following 13 innings of offensive futility the night prior, Wilmington finally got on the scoreboard with a lone run off of Pelicans' starter Deunte Heath (1-0) in the second inning. However, Heath settled in and earned the win after allowing just that one run on two hits over five innings.

The Pelicans stormed back in the top of the fourth inning, as Brandon Hicks led off with a single off of Wilmington starter Matt Kniginyzki (0-1). Hicks advanced to second as David Wood dropped an attempted pick-off at first base. Tyler Flowers walked to put two aboard, prior to Ernesto Mejia delivering a bases-clearing triple off the base of the left field wall to give Myrtle Beach the lead, 2-1. Kniginyzki was tagged with the loss, as the Pelicans never relinquished the lead.

Myrtle Beach added to their lead as Hicks squared off against reliever Chris Nicoll and belted a solo home run through the teeth of a blustery wind and into the Pelicans' bullpen over the left field wall. The home run was Hicks and the Pelicans first of the year, and extended their lead to 3-1.

The Pelicans recorded their final run of the ballgame in the seventh inning. With Nicoll still on the mound for the Wilmington, Roberto Alvarez doubled to right field to lead off the inning. He advanced to third base on a flyout by Willie Cabrera and scored a batter later as Derrick Arnold laid down a perfect squeeze bunt up the third base line to make it 4-1.

The Pelicans would need the insurance as the Blue Rocks mounted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning. After turning in a scoreless eighth inning, Pelicans' reliever Nick Fellman ran into trouble with one away in the ninth. David Wood singled to start the rally, and Fellman walked Anthony Seratelli. Joe Dickerson followed with a triple to score both runners and represented the tying run at third base with one out.

Manager Rocket Wheeler wasted no time bringing in closer Brett Butts, who coolly entered and doused the flames to preserve the Myrtle Beach victory. On his first pitch, Butts induced a ground ball to Hicks at shortstop that he brought home to cut down Dickerson for the second out of the inning. Mertins reached on the fielder's choice and stole second base, but Butts finished off the Rocks by striking out Matt Morizio to end the ballgame.

The two teams will play game three of the series on Sunday, with Myrtle Beach looking to claim the series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 PM as RHP Kyle Cofield (0-0, 0.00) goes for the Pelicans against RHP Greg Holland (0-0, 0.00) for Wilmington.

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Carolina League Stories from April 5, 2008


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