Birchard, Hall Impress as Mudcats Move to 2-0

Carolina wins the first two games of the season for the third time in four years

(Credit: Neal Hock)

April 7, 2024

CAR: 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 2 0 6 12 1
SAL: 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 4 1

WP: Jesus Rivero (1-0) LP: Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (0-1)

SALEM, VA. – The Carolina Mudcats (2-0) racked up a dozen hits, including a pair of triples as they defeated the Salem Red Sox (0-2) 6-2 Saturday night at Salem Memorial Ballpark. Four different Carolina players finished the ballgame with multiple hits.

Salem briefly took an early lead in the second inning on an Albert Feliz sacrifice fly surrendered by Mudcats starter Ryan Birchard. However, it was the only blemish on an otherwise impressive professional debut from the Brewers fifth round pick last year. Birchard went four innings and allowed just the one unearned run on one hit with a pair of walks and six strikeouts.

Carolina did not trail for very long. In the top of the third, Tayden Hall ripped an RBI double down the right field line off Red Sox starter Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (L, 0-1) to bring home Cooper Pratt. Two batters later, Satchell Norman picked up his first Single-A hit in style with an RBI double of his own to make it 2-1 Mudcats. Then Yhoswar Garcia dropped a single into center to score Norman and cap off a three-run frame.

Hall’s big night continued in the seventh as he hammered a fly ball high off the right field fence and hustled into third with a one-out triple. Luis Castillo followed with a slow roller to short and Hall dashed home, beating the tag with a slide to push the lead to 4-1. In the eighth, it was Yophery Rodriguez’s turn to go for three as he tripled to center, scoring Miguel Briceno. Rodriguez came in moments later on a Pratt single, the latter’s team-leading third run batted in.

The Mudcats also got an impressive effort out of their bullpen Saturday night. Jesus Rivero (W, 1-0) and K.C. Hunt combined for five innings and surrendered just one run while striking out eight.

Carolina looks for the three-game sweep to open 2024 on Sunday afternoon as they wrap up their first road trip of the year. RHP Yorman Galindez makes his first start for the Mudcats while Salem sends RHP Luis Cohen to the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 PM.

Single-game tickets, season ticket packages, mini plans, group options, as well as luxury suite packages and DRB Homes Sky Lounge reservations in the US Foods Club Level are also still available now by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287, and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon.