Warthogs Rally Falls Short as Hicks Powers Pelicans
Published on May 26, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC -. Brandon Hicks smacked two home runs and tallied five RBI as Myrtle Beach fought off a late Winston-Salem rally to grab a 9-8 victory over the Warthogs in the series opener on Memorial Day at Ernie Shore Field. Trailing 9-5 entering the ninth inning, Winston-Salem got within a run as Brandon Allen crushed a two-run homer off newly inserted Pelicans closer Ferdin Tejada. But Salvador Sanchez popped out on the next pitch to end the threat as Tejada preserved his first save of the season.
Pelicans starting pitcher Ryne Reynoso (4-3) kept the Warthogs off-balance all afternoon while limiting Winston-Salem to two unearned runs on four hits with four strikeouts in six innings to earn the win. The same could not be said for Warthogs starter John Ely (1-5), who gave up five runs on five hits with four walks in just four innings of work to garner the loss.
Myrtle Beach plated the first run of the game in the second inning when Tyler Flowers walked and Eric Campbell singled to put runners on first and second base. A wild pitch by Ely advanced both runners a base and a ground out by Jon Mark Owings allowed Flowers to score. The Pelicans added a pair in the third inning when Willie Cabrera walked with two outs and scored on a two-run blast by Ernesto Mejia. Another two-run shot of Ely in the fourth inning by Hicks extended the Pelicans lead to 5-0.
Winston-Salem took advantage of a Pelicans error to plate a pair of runs in the fifth inning. With two outs and the bases empty, Greg Paiml reached on a throwing error by Hicks. Paulo Orlando following with an infield single. Next, John Shelby III lined a two run double down the left field line to cut the Warthogs deficit to 5-2.
Myrtle Beach answered right back as Hicks accounted for his defensive mistake with his second home run of the game, a three-run blast off Israel Chirino over the center field wall to give the Pelicans an 8-2 lead. The Warthogs added a run on an RBI groundout by Orlando in the seventh inning. After Myrtle Beach tacked on a run in the eighth inning, Winston-Salem added pair of runs in their half of the eighth to cut the deficit to 9-5 and setup the dramatic finish.
These two clubs will square off in the second of this four-game series on Tuesday night at Ernie Shore Field. The Warthogs will turn to RHP Steven Spurgeon (1-0, 3.38), who will be making his first start of the season. The Pelicans will send RHP Chris Vines (2-0, 2.01) to the mound. The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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