Pelican Power Surge Topples FredNats

MYRTLE BEACH, SC - The Pelicans launched three home runs in a 8-4 win over the FredNats on Saturday night. Fredericksburg falls to 24-14 on the year, while Myrtle now sits at 16-21.

The Pelicans landed a big first blow, in the bottom of the second inning. Marc Davis walked the first two batters of the inning, battled back to get the next two out, but Fabian Pertuz launched a three-run home run just inside the left field foul pole to put Myrtle up 3-0. Another run came home on an E9, to make it a four-run frame.

Fredericksburg manufactured a run in the top of the third, following a leadoff double by Brenner Cox. A pair of well-placed ground balls brought Cox around to score, and cut the deficit to 4-1.

But in the home fourth, Pertuz blasted his second home run of the game, a solo shot to make it 5-1 Myrtle Beach. The Pelicans added another two runs in the inning on RBI singles from Cristian Hernandez and Andy Garriola.

The Freddies battled in the top of the fifth inning, getting two runners on base in front of Gavin Dugas. The former LSU Tiger then crushed a two-strike offering over the bleachers in left field for a three-run blast, bringing Fredericksburg to within three runs, at 7-4.

That would be as close as the FredNats got, as Ty Johnson entered in relief in the sixth inning. The righty went on to fire four perfect innings from the Pelican bullpen, to slam the door in a 8-4 Pelican win. Juan Bello (1-1) nabbed his first win, Marc Davis (0-1) took his first loss, with Johnson earning his first save in a night of firsts for everyone.

In the series finale, Fredericksburg goes for the split behind Travis Sthele (0-3, 6.56), against Alfredo Romero (0-4, 8.35).