Loftin’s Homer Provides Lone Run in Loss to Pelicans

Fayetteville, NC – Jackson Loftin clubbed his first home run of the season and Trey Dombroski was perfect out of the bullpen, but the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (16-23) were unable to overcome an early 3-run deficit in a 3-1 loss to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (20-20) on Tuesday night at Segra Stadium.

Nolan DeVos (L, 2-1) got the start and allowed all three runs in the second inning on a three-run home run to Felix Stevens. The fifth-rounder out of Davidson rebounded with a scoreless third and fourth before handing the ball to Dombroski in relief for the fifth.

Dombroski dominated from the jump, striking out three of the first six he faced, then striking out the side in order in the seventh.

Jackson Loftin broke up the shutout bid in the bottom of the eighth, hitting a solo home run off Koen Moreno. The blast was the first of the season for Loftin and cut the game to 3-1.

Dombroski continued to roll through the ninth inning, retiring 15 in a row and striking out eight. Luis Encarnacion extended the game with a two-out single off Saul Gonzalez (SV, 4) in the ninth, but Sandro Gaston fouled out to end the game.

The six-game series continues on Wednesday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM. The Woodpeckers are projected to start RHP Jose Guedez (0-0, 2.08 ERA) and Myrtle Beach will counter with RHP Michael Arias (0-4, 5.03 ERA).

FULL BOX SCORE: https://www.milb.com/gameday/728005/final/box