Baumann, Muckenhirn Toss Two-Hit Shutout

COLUMBIA, SC - Michael Baumann started a pitching masterclass on the mound and Zach Muckenhirn finished a combined two-hit shutout, leading the Delmarva Shorebirds past the Columbia Fireflies 1-0 on Monday night at Spirit Communications Park.
Baumann (5-0) pitched a career-high seven innings, the longest scoreless start for a Shorebirds (25-12) starter this season. The Orioles' No. 13 prospect surrendered just two singles and hit a batter while walking none and striking out eight.
Muckenhirn notched his third save of the year with two perfect innings in relief, striking out three along the way and fanning Quinn Brodey to wrap things up in a tidy 2:14.
David Peterson (1-1) was stuck with the hard-luck loss for the Fireflies (19-18), allowing one run on two hits in seven strong innings himself. He walked three and struck out four.
Delmarva scraped together its only run of the game in the top of the first inning. Kirvin Moesquit led off with a full-count walk and promptly stole second base. Moesquit then advanced to third base on a Mason McCoy groundout to third, timing the throw across the diamond perfectly and sliding in just ahead of the return throw. T.J. Nichting then brought Moesquit home with an RBI groundout to short, and the Shorebirds had an early 1-0 lead.
The single run was more than enough for Baumann, who plunked Blake Tiberi in the first inning and gave up singles to Jeremy Vasquez and Ali Sanchez in the fourth and seventh, respectively. Baumann was airtight otherwise, never letting a runner get into scoring position. His high point came in the fifth when he struck out the side on just 11 pitches.
In addition to driving in the only run of the game, Nichting bailed out his starter in the third inning, diving into the right center gap to rob Giovanny Alfonzo of an extra-base hit.
Moesquit and Trevor Craport had the only two hits for the Shorebirds, matching their lowest hit output for the season. Craport singled in the second inning and Moesquit in the sixth; Delmarva hit into double plays soon after both singles.
The shutout was the Shorebirds' fourth of the season and first since blanking Kannapolis 3-0 on April 25. It was the second clean sheet anchored by Baumann, who tossed five scoreless innings in an Opening Night 2-0 win over Asheville. The 1-0 decision was Delmarva's second 1-0 win of the year after an April 9 triumph over Hickory.
The Shorebirds wrap their seven-game road trip on Tuesday night against the Fireflies. Delmarva has yet to name a starter for the game, while Columbia will turn to Marcel Renteria (2-1, 5.02). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., and pregame coverage on Fox Sports 960 AM and the MiLB First Pitch App begins at 6:50 with Will DeBoer on the call.