Lakewood Walks Off with 4-3 Win in Game One

Lakewood, NJ - The Lakewood BlueClaws (14-22) held the Delmarva Shorebirds (16-19) hitless over the first five innings and survived a late rally to win game one of the series, 4-3, on Monday night at FirstEnergy Park. The Shorebirds overcame a 3-0 deficit after six innings to tie the game in the ninth before falling short. 

The BlueClaws grabbed an early lead in the first inning. Chace Numata grounded a one out double down the right field line. The next batter, Brian Pointer, doubled over the head of Gregory Lorenzo in center field to score Numata. Pointer moved to third on a groundout by Art Charles and scored on a wild pitch.

The BlueClaws added a run in the third. Zach Taylor reached on a lead off walk. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Then, with two outs, Pointer grounded to first and Connor Narron tossed to Brady Wager, who mishandled the toss, allowing Taylor to score.

Lakewood starter Nicholas Hanson retired the first 16 Shorebirds batters. He settled for a no decision.   

The Shorebirds got on the board for the first time in the seventh. Tucker Nathans led off with a triple to deep left-center field. He scored on a groundout to third by Joel Hutter.

In the eighth inning, the Shorebirds pulled within one run. Marin hit a one out triple to center field. He scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Anthony Vega. 

The Shorebirds tied the game in the ninth inning. Nik Balog led off with a hard grounder into center field. Anthony Caronia came onto pinch run for Balog. With Caronia at second, Lucas Herbst singled up the middle to tie the game. 

Shorebirds starter Brady Wager held Lakewood scoreless over his final three innings. Jose Nivar tossed a scoreless seventh and Matt Price held the 'Claws scoreless in the eighth.

Lakewood inched across the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Walding hit a one out single to right. He advanced to third on a double down the left field line by Carlos Tocci. After an intentional walk to load the bases, Price walked Taylor to force in the winning run.

Nathans and Marin accounted for four of the seven Shorebirds hits. Both had one double and one triple.  

Shorebirds starter Brady Wager went six innings and allowed just four hits and two earned runs.

The Shorebirds and BlueClaws continue the series on Tuesday, May 14 at 6:35pm. RHP Mark Blackmar is the scheduled starter for Delmarva.