Pelicans Fall 11-7 to Columbia

By Kalin Eske

The Pelicans dropped Friday’s contest 11-7 against the Fireflies in the fourth game of the week. The loss moves the Birds to a 73-55 record and 34-29 in the second half while the Fireflies improved to 66-63 and 31-33 in the second half.

The Pelicans led early as Brian Kalmer recorded an RBI double in the bottom of the first. Pedro Ramirez had a 3-run home run, which was the third for the Pelicans during this series. Jonathon Long and Malcolm Quintero each had solo home runs to left field. Brett Bateman also scored on a wild pitch.

The starter, Marino Santy, struck out four but suffered three earned runs in his three innings of work. On the third strikeout, Santy recorded his 100^th strikeout on the season. Koen Moreno struck out two and allowed two runs and three walks. Friday’s loss went to Luiz Martinez-Gomez after giving up four runs through 1 1/3 innings with one hit and three walks while striking out three. Landon Ginn sacrificed two runs, while striking out one and allowing one walk in his 2/3 innings. Jose Romero struck out two in 1 2/3 innings.

For the Fireflies, Trevor Werner recorded two RBI singles, which resulted in three runs, one of which was the scored on a throwing error by the Pelicans. Werner hit a grand slam in the top of the sixth inning to give the Fireflies back the lead. Spencer Nivens also brought in one run with a sacrifice fly. The Fireflies scored their remaining run on a throwing error during a pickoff attempt by Jose Romero.

Felix Arronde, the starter, earned the win with five innings pitched, despite giving up the majority of the runs. Arronde struck out four and allowed three walks and five runs. Chazz Martinez also struck out four, while giving up two runs and allowing three walks in his 1 1/3 innings pitched. Closing the game, Oscar Rayo earned the save in a shutout 2 2/3 innings with one strike out.

Myrtle Beach and Columbia will meet again on Saturday night at 6:05 PM.