Shorebirds Win Pitchers' Duel in 10
Published on April 9, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release
A fast-paced pitchers duel was barely two hours old when the game went to extras, but the Shorebirds offense awakened in the 10th, scoring three runs on four hits in the first bonus inning to defeat the Captains 4-1 in 10 innings on Wednesday afternoon at Classic Park. Knotted at a run apiece after nine, Delmarva first basemen Anthony Martinez led off the 10th by blasting the ninth pitch of a long at bat into the left field bleachers, breaking the tie and paving the way for the Delmarva victory. The Shorebirds added two insurance run to secure the triumph for Zach Clark, who was sensational in four innings out of the bullpen.
In the ninth, it looked as if the Shorebirds' defense would let them down again. The first two Captains' hitters each reached on infield errors by Delmarva, and Lake County had the winning run at third base with nobody out. After an intentional walk to load the bases, Clark induced three ground balls and somehow escaped the jam to prolong the ballgame and give the 'Birds a chance in extras. Clark earned his first win of the year, pitching four innings, allowing just one run on two hits.
Delmarva starter Cole McCurry was brilliant as well, shutting down the Captain lineup for the first five innings. The only blemishes for McCurry's perfect stat line were a walk in the first and a single in the fourth, and in each frame the 22-year-old lefty managed to escape the inning unscathed. After Clark's four masterful innings, Mick Mattaliano would become the third pitcher of the afternoon for the Shorebirds. He hit the first batter he faced in the tenth, but got a routine fly ball and then the game-ending double play grounder to finish the victory and earn his second save of the season. Delmarva pitching limited the Captains offense to just three hits on the day.
Shorebirds right-fielder Joe Nowicki singled, stole second, and was driven in by catcher Brendan Monaghan in the second inning to give Delmarva the early 1-0 lead. Nowicki has recorded a base hit in each of the first five games of the season.
Lake County's starter, Kelvin De La Cruz, pitched effectively as well, allowing just one run in five innings. Gary Campfield also threw three scoreless frames out of the Captains 'pen, but the Shorebirds were able to batter Kyle Landis in the 10th.
The three-game series will conclude Thursday night at 7:05 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 9, 2008
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- Naughton, Durant propel BlueClaws to 6-5 win over Hagerstown - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Shorebirds Top the Captains in 10 Innings - Lake County Captains
- Braves Fry the Fish - Rome Emperors
- RiverDogs Gnullify Gnats As Almonte Leads Charleston, 8-6 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Shorebirds Win Pitchers' Duel in 10 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Tourists Tally 17 Hits In Fourth Consecutive Win - Asheville Tourists
- Ninth Inning Haunts Power - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Intimidators Drop Third Straight 11-3 To Asheville - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Augusta Rallies for Win over West Virginia - Augusta GreenJackets
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