Santy Throws Five No-Hit Innings, Pelicans Win Rain-Shortened Finale 5-0 over Fireflies

By Sam Weiderhaft

Marino Santy tossed a five-inning no-hitter before the game was called early due to rain as the Pelicans took down the Columbia Fireflies 5-0 on Sunday night. The no-hitter is the second non-nine-inning no-hitter in franchise history, and the sixth overall. Santy became the first pitcher in Birds’ history to get credit for a solo no-hitter. With the win, the Pelicans improved to 51-38 and 12-12 in the second half. Columbia dropped to 48-41 and 13-11 in the second half.

Following four no-hit innings last Sunday, Santy (2-1) followed it up with five more hitless and scoreless innings against the Fireflies with three walks allowed and a career-high eight strikeouts. Sunday marked the first time Santy has lasted five innings in his career. Miguel Pabon called the game from behind the plate as the catcher.

After not scoring a run in over 23 innings, the Pelicans scored five runs off seven hits in the finale. Jefferson Rojas (2-3, RBI) logged a multi-hit game with two singles and an RBI. Parker Chavers (1-2, RBI, BB) and Cristian Hernandez (1-3, RBI) each picked up RBI singles in the win. All seven hits for Myrtle Beach were singles.

Levi Usher (0-0, BB, HBP) was the only Firefly to reach base twice on a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Columbia left six on base and went 0-for-six with runners in scoring position. Starter Mauricio Veliz (1-5) sacrificed all five runs, three earned off seven hits and three walks across his 4 1/3 inning start. Marcus Olivarez finished off the final two outs of the bottom of the fifth with a walk and a strikeout.

The Pelicans came out of the gate, scoring with a four-run first inning. With runners on the corners, Rojas hit a single to right to score Reivaj Garcia from third. Chavers followed a single to left on a ground ball that scored Rafael Morel from second for a 2-0 lead. Hernandez made it three-straight RBI singles with a base hit to left that scored Rojas. Hernandez later stole second as the throw by catcher Omar Hernandez went to center field to plate Chavers from third.

Columbia came closest to scoring by loading the bases off a hit-by-pitch, fielder’s choice, and walk. Erick Pena flew out to left to end the inning.

The Pelicans scored their final run in the bottom of the fifth as Olivarez threw a wild pitch with two outs and the bases loaded to score Hernandez from third as the Pelicans made it a 5-0 game.

The Birds hit the road for two weeks with their first series in Fredericksburg against the Nationals. First pitch on Tuesday is set for 7:05 p.m.