FREDERICK WALKS TO VICTORY OVER PELICANS

In the rubbermatch of the three-game series, Frederick prevailed by a run in a long, walk-filled game against Myrtle Beach. The Keys and Pelicans combined to walk 19 batters in the 3 hour and 27 minute contest. Frederick got off to a quick start scoring three runs in the first but had to battle back late in the game. Down one in the sixth, the Keys scored three runs in the inning and held on for a 6-5 win.

CF Kyle Hudson started off the bottom of the first with a walk. Following a single by 2B LJ Hoes, 1B Tyler Townsend doubled to left-center. The Townsend double scored both Hudson and Hoes. After a single by DH Tyler Kolodny moved Townsend to third, RF Jacob Julius hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to make the score 3-0 Keys after one.

Myrtle Beach starter, LHP Chad Bell, did not make it out of the first inning. Bell exited the game after registering just two outs and surrendering three earned runs on three hits and two walks.

The Pelicans slowly crept back into the game over the next three innings. Myrtle Beach scored a run in the second, two in the third, and one in the fourth to take the lead for the first time of the night.

Keys starter, LHP Nathan Moreau, allowed three runs over three innings in his first start of the season.

Following Moreau's departure, Frederick dodged two big scoring opportunities by the Myrtle Beach. First, in the fifth inning, LHP Will Startup forced 2B Santiago Chirino to ground into an inning ending 1-2-3 double play. The following inning the Pelicans loaded the bases once again. This time, Startup got C Vinny DiFazio to pop to first base and then RF Jared Prince to groundout to third to end the threat.

After the multiple scoring chances by the Pelicans were avoided, it was time for the Keys to regain the lead. With two on and no out, LJ Hoes hit a sharp groundball to second base. Santiago Chirino tried to make a flip to second base to turn a double play but instead came up empty handed. With the bases now full of Keys following the error, RHP Kasey Kiker hit Tyler Townsend in the arm on his last pitch of the night. Garabez Rosa trotted home from second to tie the game at four. Two batters later, RF Jacob Julius came up with the biggest hit of the night. Julius singled into rightfield. Hudson and Hoes came around to score to give the Keys a 6-4 lead.

Myrtle Beach scored a run in the ninth off RHP Kenny Moreland but 1B Jared Bolden grounded out to short to end the ballgame. In the win, Moreland notched the first save of his career while Will Startup improved to 1-0 on the season. Kasey Kiker picked up the loss for the Pelicans.

Jacob Julius finished the evening 2-for-3 with three RBI, Tyler Townsend drove in three runs, and Kyle Hudson scored two runs, walked twice, and stole his third base of the year.

The Keys (3-2) will welcome the Salem Red Sox (4-1) to town on Friday night. RHP Ryan O'Shea (0-0, 3.00) gets the start for the second time this year while LHP Drake Britton (0-1, 23.14) will look to bounce back after his rocky first start of the season.

First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening. Every fan to Friday night's game will receive a 2011-12 Keys Calendar presented by H.N. Funkhouser as well as Keys magnet schedule sponsored by 123 Print.

Stick around after the game as Friday night will also be the first fireworks show of the year at Harry Grove Stadium. For tickets call 1-877-8-GO-KEYS or purchase online at www.frederickkeys.com.

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