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Pelicans Use Small Ball for Victory over El Paso

May 24, 2005 - Central Baseball League (Central League)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


The Pelicans outlasted El Paso tonight in a classic pitchers duel with the Pelicans coming out on top and winning 2-1. Three Pelicans pitchers combined to hold the CBL's best hitting team to one run and seven hits.

There was a lot of zeros on the board until the Pelicans broke the 0-0 tie when Bernard Caston scored off an errant throw. Caston reached on an infield single and later advanced to 3rd base when Diablos catcher Onix Mercado threw an attempted pick-off throw into right field after it sailed over the first basemans head. The throw in from right fielder Carlos Sepulveda could not be handled by third baseman Juan Camacho. The ball bounced around long enough allowing Caston to score the first run of the game.

Pelicans starting pitcher Jeff Norris pitched six and a third of great baseball, striking out six. He gave way to Josh Courage in the 7th with one out and two runners on base. Courage struck-out Alejandro Fernandez and then got Mercado to line out to Carlos Mendoza at second base to end the Diablo's threat.

El Paso managed to draw even in the top of the 8th when Macias plated Mendoza with a sac-fly to left field.

In the bottom of the 8th, the Pelicans wasted no time reclaiming their lead. George Branch led off when he reached by an error by 2nd baseman Macias and was replaced by pinch runner Michael Pierre. Trino Aguilar then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt that moved Pierre to second base with one out. Caston then came through with an RBI double to right field that scored Pierre for what turned out to be the game winning run.

Marc Major came into pitch the 9th inning and recorded his first save of the year. Courage got his first win of the season improving to 1-0. El Paso pitcher Brad Esarey pitched a great game but came out on the losing end, throwing the complete game.

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Central Baseball League Stories from May 24, 2005


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