Late Rally Downs Pelicans 3-0 in Charleston

RiverDogs scored all three runs in the eighth inning to win the series

Charleston, SC- It was a pitcher's duel all the way to the eighth inning when the Charleston RiverDogs broke through for all of their three runs to win the game 3-0 on Sunday evening. The win also decided the series, as the RiverDogs took the first six-game set of the season four games to two.

Eduarniel Nunez (0-1) took the loss in his second appearance of the season, pitching the decisive eighth inning and giving up three runs on four hits. Myrtle Beach starter Manuel Espinoza had the longest outing of the season for the Birds after throwing the first five innings and striking out seven, with just one hit allowed.

The win went to RiverDogs reliever Colby White (1-0), with Hector Figueroa picking up his second save of the series after coming in to close out the game in the ninth.

After five runs came across the plate last night, the Pelicans were shut out for the first time this season. Darius Hill (1-4, 2B) continued his now six-game hitting streak with Yeison Santana (1-4, 2B), Jordan Nwogu (1-3), and Edmond Americaan (1-3, 2B) also providing offensive production.

Nick Schnell (1-4, HR, 2 RBI) brought the deciding blow for Charleston in the eighth inning with a homer to left-center field. Johan Lopez (1-3, RBI) sparked the rally with an RBI single.

Both starting pitchers dominated from the start, as RiverDogs' starter John Doxakis struck out eight of the nine Pelicans he faced in three innings. For Myrtle Beach, Manuel Espinoza struck out seven through his five innings of work, only allowing one hit and one walk.

It took until the sixth inning for the Pelicans to move a runner into scoring position, as Americaan lined a one-out double to left field, only to be thrown out by RiverDogs' shortstop Alika Williams trying to stretch it into a triple. The out proved to be costly, as Hill came up next with two outs and doubled to left field, but was stranded at second to end the inning.

Charleston used the eighth inning to overpower Myrtle Beach with three runs coming home. Diego Infante singled to lead off the inning off Pelicans' reliever Nunez. Lopez came up two batters later and singled home Infante for the game's first run. Schnell would provide the insurance in the next at-bat as the centerfielder blasted a home run off the left-center field light post to extend the RiverDogs lead 3-0.

Figueroa came out for the RiverDogs in the ninth and held the Pelicans scoreless, earning his second save of the season.

The Pelicans will play their first home game since August 2019 as the Augusta GreenJackets come to Pelicans Ballpark this week. The first game is slated for Tuesday at 7:05, with Adam Laskey making his second start for the Birds.