May 22, 2024
Zebulon, NC– On Wednesday night at Five County Stadium, the Carolina Mudcats (24-15) played host to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (17-23.) Coming in to the evening. The Mudcats had lost 6 of their last 7 entering the night. The Mudcats slump dropped them to second in the division before Wednesday. The Mudcats sent Daniel Corniel (1-1) to the mound who had a 2.83 ERA in 28.2 innings before Wednesday’s contest. The Pelicans sent Mason McGwire (0-0) who had a 4.61 ERA with 13.2 innings pitched before Wednesday’s game.
The Mudcats offense clicked immediately in the bottom of the first with a single to left by Daniel Guilarte, and a single to left center by Cooper Pratt that made it 1-0. The Pelicans offense responded in the top of the 2nd with 2 walks, and a double over the center-fielder by Christian Olivo to take a 2-1 lead. A line drive home run to center by Andy Garriola added to the Pelicans lead which made it 3-1.
The Mudcats responded in the bottom half with a single to left field by Daniel Guilarte, and a stand up triple to the right field corner by Yophery Rodriguez cutting the lead to 3-2. Yophery Rodriguez scored on a infield single by Juan Baez tying the game at 3-3.
The Mudcats patience at the plate paid off in the bottom of the fifth which led to 4 runs which gave the Mudcats a lead 7-3.
Juan Baez increased the lead in the bottom of the 6th with a double down the right field line that plated 2 runs which made the score 9-3. A Yhoswar Garcia bloop single scored Juan Baez which made the score 10-3. Miguel Briceno then singled to left field which scored David Garcia which moved the lead to 11-3. A Myrtle Beach wild pitch scored Yhoswar Garcia which made it 12-3. Yophery Rodriguez hit into a fielders choice that scored Reece Walling which increased the lead to 13-3.
The Pelicans responded in the top of the 7th with a home run by Reginald Perciado that hit off of the bottom of the video board which cut the lead to 13-4. Christofher Carrasco pitched 2 innings while only allowing 1 run and 1 hit.
The Pelicans would score again in the top of the 8th. The scoring was started with 3 walks and a hit by pitch until a Christian Olivo sacrifice fly would cut the deficit to 13-6. Myrtle Beach continued the offense with a Reginald Perciado double over the center fielder which plated 2 runs to cut the deficit to 13-8. The Mudcats would add 1 more run in the bottom half with a 2 out bases loaded single to left field which increased the lead to 14-8.
Morris Austin slamed the door on the Pelicans with 1.1 innings scoreless while only allowing 1 walk.
The winning pitcher was Daniel Corniel who pitched 5 innings while only allowing 3 runs on 4 hits. The losing pitcher was Dominic Hambley who pitched 2 innings while allowing 4 runs on 1 hit. The Mudcats will play again tomorrow night at 6:30pm against Myrtle Beach for game 3 of the series.