Pelicans tame ‘Dogs late-inning comeback 4-3, complete opening series sweep

Photo courtesy: Larry Kave/Myrtle Beach Pelicans

BOX SCORE

CHARLESTON, S.C (April 4, 2026). – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans (3-0) stymied a ninth inning comeback attempt by the Charleston RiverDogs (0-3) 4-3 to complete the opening series sweep at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park on Saturday night.

The Pelicans held a 4-1 entering the bottom of the ninth inning when the RiverDogs offense ignited. Brendan Summerhill reached on a fielding error and then later scored when James Quinn-Irons reached on a throwing error. The next batter Derek Datil ripped a single to move Quinn-Irons to third. Dean Moss followed with a sacrifice fly which scored Quinn-Irons to cut the deficit to 4-3. After Caden Bodine grounded into a force out, Cooper Flemming flew out to right field to end the game.

For the third consecutive game, Myrtle Beach got the scoring started. Ludwing Espinoza cracked a leadoff double in the top of the second. Jose Escobar followed with a single. After a Jairo Diaz walk, Edward Vargas peppered an RBI single to give the Pelicans a 1-0 advantage. With runners on second and third Josiah Hartshorn hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Escobar and increase the lead to 2-0.

The Pelicans offense went to work again in the top of the third. Alexey Lumpuy led off the frame with a single and then advanced to third via a throwing error on a stolen base attempt. After Espinoza was hit by a pitch, Escobar lined an RBI single to make the score 3-0. A batter later Vargas singled home Espinoza to give Myrtle Beach a 4-0 lead.

The RiverDogs responded in the bottom of the fourth. Taitn Gray drew a walk and later scored on a fielder’s choice hit by Alberth Palma to trim the deficit to 4-1.

RHP Eli Jerzembeck (1-0, 0.00 ERA) received the win, RHP Aidan Haugh (0-1, 12.00 ERA) was tagged with the loss.

The Pelicans have the next two days off before hitting the road to start a six-game roadtrip against the Columbia Fireflies on Tuesday night at Segra Park. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM. Both teams starting pitcher are to be determined.