Tourists Rout Shorebirds 10-2 in Game One
Brenden Webb had recorded his first three hit game of the season. He reached base in all four at-bats.
The Shorebirds jumped on the Tourists in the first inning. Mikey Planeta, who joined the Shorebirds today in Asheville, hit a line drive single into center field to open the game. Jonathan Schoop followed with a single. Manny Machado drew his team leading 19th walk of the year to load the bases. Then, Kipp Schutz hit a chopper through the right side of the infield to give the 'Birds a 1-0 lead. Mike Flacco hit a line drive into right-center to score Schoop.
Cory Dickerson, who went 4-for-4, doubled to open the second. He moved to third on an error by catcher Michael Ohlman. Dickerson scored on a sacrifice fly to right field Avery Barnes.
The Tourists tied the game in the third. Russell Wilson, the former NC State quarterback, drew a walk to open the inning. After stealing second, he scored on a double by Joey Wong.
The Tourists stretched out the lead in the fifth. Joe Wong hit a one out single. Then, Rafael Ortega single. Helder Velazquez followed with a three-run homer to lift the Tourists to a 5-2 lead.
Asheville plated four more runs in the sixth inning to build a 9-2 lead. Corey Dickerson led off with a home run over the center field wall. Wong hit an RBI single and Velazquez hit a two-run double.
Dickerson added another home run in the seventh inning to give the Tourists a 10-2 lead.
Reliever Josh Hungerman earned the win in four shutout innings. He struck out six and did not walk a batter. Shorebirds starter Luis Noel was pinned with the loss in 4.1 innings pitched. He allowed six hits and four earned runs.
The Shorebirds and Tourists will play game two of the series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m.