Pelicans Split Series with Shutout Victory over RiverDogs

Sunday was the second shutout win for Myrtle Beach this season

By Sam Weiderhaft

After falling three times in the first four games of the series, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans rallied back for a win on Saturday and closed the series with a 5-0 victory over the Charleston RiverDogs on Sunday. The win moved the Birds back into sole possession of first place in the Carolina League South with a 22-11 record while the RiverDogs fell to 21-12. It was the second shutout win for the Pelicans this season, while the RiverDogs were blanked for the first time.

Nine hits turned into five runs as BJ Murray Jr. (2-4, 2 RBI) led the offensive effort with a pair of RBI singles. James Triantos (2-4, R, BB) posted a multi-hit game while Kevin Alcantara (1-4, 2B, RBI, R) smashed the only extra-base hit of the ballgame.

The Pelicans have blanked their opponent in the last two Sunday home games as Tyler Santana (3-0) took the win with four solid innings. Santana allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out a season-high six batters. Pelicans starter Luke Little lasted three innings with three hits allowed and three strikeouts to two walks.

Charleston left nine runners on while going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position in the defeat. Dru Baker (2-4) recorded the only multi-hit performance on the evening. Mason Auer (1-3, BB) reached base twice out of the leadoff spot.

Sunday’s RiverDogs’ starter Patrick Wicklander (3-2) took the loss after sacrificing the first two runs in his four complete innings. Wicklander walked just one and struck out seven while allowing three hits. The RiverDogs defense also committed two errors in the field.

Following a quiet three innings, the Pelicans struck first with a pair of runs in the fourth. Triantos walked with one out and came home to score as Alcantara lined a double down the left-field line. It was the first time this week that the Birds scored first in a game. Alcantara scored on the next pitch as Murray grounded a ball that knocked off Willy Vasquez at shortstop for a 2-0 lead.

The Pelicans tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fifth as Ethan Hearn lined a single to right with one out. Hearn advanced to second on Neraldo Catalina’s wild pitch and went to third on a single by Pete Crow-Armstrong. With runners on the corners, Crow-Armstrong stole second as Catalina threw a wild pitch. Hearn came in to score and Crow-Armstrong advanced to third. RiverDogs’ catcher Luis Leon then threw wildly to third base for a throwing error which allowed Crow-Armstrong to score on the same play for a 4-0 lead.

Murray cashed in for another RBI single in the seventh as the Pelicans put the finishing touches on Sunday’s game. Juan Mora and Triantos both singled with Crow-Armstrong and Alcantara being retired in the inning for two outs. Murray grounded a ball up the middle to score Mora and extend the Pelicans' lead to 5-0.

Sheldon Reed struck out the side in the top of the ninth to close out the game.

The Pelicans hit the road for two weeks with the first series against the Columbia Fireflies starting on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m.