Eight-Run Fifth Guides Pelicans to Lopsided Win

FREDERICK, Md. -The Myrtle Beach Pelicans scored eight times and sent 14 men to bat in the top of the fifth to defeat the Frederick Keys 11-3 on Saturday night at Nymeo Field. Ending with 16 hits, Myrtle Beach set new season-highs for runs and hits while five different players recorded multi-hit games.

The Pelicans grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second against David Richardson thanks to an RBI single by Shawon Dunston Jr. but the floodgates opened in the fifth. Max Schuh allowed back-to-back singles to open the inning, while an error by Aderlin Rodriguez on a sac-bunt loaded the bases. Ian Happ and Yasiel Balaguert added RBI singles to make it 4-0, before a Daniel Lockhart double brought home two more.

Schuh would be relieved by Ivan Hernandez who surrendered a two-run double to Rashad Crawford to complete the Pelicans scoring. In the frame, the visitors pounded out seven hits, equaling the most given up by Keys pitching in an inning this year.

Myrtle Beach added single markers in the sixth and seventh innings on a solo homer by Balaguert and an RBI bounce out by Gleyber Torres. Frederick scored its first run in the seventh on an Austin Wynns solo homer, before scoring twice in the ninth. With the bases loaded, Wynston Sawyer drove home a pair of runs with a single through the left side.

Wynns finished 2-for-3 with a home run, RBI and run scored, Sawyer posted his third multi-RBI game in four days, while Steve Wilkerson tied his season-high for hits, going 3-for-4 with a run scored.

Richardson took the loss, giving up an unearned run on four hits in three innings. Jeremy Null (1-0) picked up the victory for the Pelicans, firing five shutout innings of three-hit baseball. He walked one and struck out three.

The Keys and Pelicans continue their series on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Lucas Long (1-1, 2.74) gets the ball for the Keys and will be opposed by Pelicans righty Jake Stinnett (2-0, 2.93). First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m from Nymeo Field and the broadcast can be heard on 1450 AM The Source and frederickkeys.com. There will be a postgame Candy Drop courtesy of Advanced Helicopter Concepts, while it is a Sunday Funday presented by Chili's. For tickets fans can call 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.