CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Season highs in runs, hits help Myrtle Beach follow Friday shutout win with Saturday rout

Published on April 23, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


KINSTON, N.C. - Joe Wieland turned in seven shutout innings in arguably the best performance of the season for a Pelicans starter, and for the first time this year, his offense backed him up in a big way as Myrtle Beach routed the Kinston Indians 11-2 Saturday night at Grainger Stadium. Coupled with Salem's loss to the Potomac Nationals in Virginia, the Pelicans retook first place in the Carolina League Southern Division as they moved to 11-4 through the season's first 15 games.

Like it was during the Pelicans' 10-0 victory over the Indians on Friday night, it was a quick draw for the visiting offense as the Pelicans got on top with a run in the second, one in the fourth, and two more in the fifth. In another good sign for Myrtle Beach's red-hot offense, Pelicans outfielder Jared Prince got into the act in two of those three scoring chances, singling and scoring in the second and walking and bringing home the club's fourth run in the fifth.

While his offense went to work against Kinston starter T.J. House and relievers Chris Jones and Travis Turek, Wieland was strong and steady throughout the night. The righty from Reno, Nevada allowed multiple baserunners in just one of his innings and got double plays to end the first, second, and sixth while scattering five hits. Wieland (1-1) struck out six and didn't walk a batter to pick up his first victory of the year.

As is becoming their calling card, the Pelicans broke things open with a big late inning, crushing Kinston bullpen arms Jones and Turek to the tune of six runs on five hits in the seventh to break the game open. Third baseman Mike Olt, who doubled to lead off the frame and scored on Prince's second hit of the night two batters later, delivered the inning's big blow with a two-run single as the tenth man to bat in the Myrtle Beach side. That hit made it an 11-0 lead. House (0-2) who departed after the fourth took the loss while Jones and Turek were each charged with four earned runs over two innings of relief apiece.

Kinston notched a pair of unearned runs against Pelicans reliever Kasey Kiker in the bottom of the eighth for the final margin.

Sunday afternoon at Grainger Stadium, Myrtle Beach goes for its ninth victory in ten games and a series victory in its first intradivisional road matchup. The Pelicans will not face reigning Carolina League Pitcher of the Week Drew Pomeranz as was originally scheduled for the finale, instead going against righty spot starter Brett Brach (0-1, 1.80). Myrtle Beach sends right-hander Casey Kelly (0-0, 4.50) with the tilt scheduled for 1:30.

The Pelicans return home for their first multi-series homestand of 2011 at BB&T Coastal Field hosting the Potomac Nationals and Frederick Keys from April 25 through May 1. Tickets for all Pelicans home games can be purchased by visiting the BB&T Coastal Field Box office, the Tickets page at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, or by calling (843)918-6000 or (877)918-TIXX.

Check out the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Statistics

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



Carolina League Stories from April 23, 2011


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