Blue Rocks Take Series Opener 6-2 in Zebulon
ZEBULON, N.C. - Pat McInerney walked three times and had a run scoring single in the eighth, but the Blue Rocks jumped out to an early four run lead before eventually defeating Carolina 6-2 on Saturday night at Five County Stadium. Noah Zavolas started and allowed four runs over six
ZEBULON, N.C. -
Wilmington (16-13, 60-38) led from start to finish in Saturday's series opener in Zebulon after getting a run in the first, two in the third, one in the fourth and later two in the seventh to take a 6-0 lead. Carolina (14-16, 53-46) eventually came back with two in the eighth, but would end up falling 6-2.
Zavolas (L, 5-5, 3.09) started and took the loss after all four Wilmington runs between the first and fourth innings. He finished his start with five strikeouts and two walks, but also allowed four runs on six hits.
The Blue Rocks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after
Wilmington's lead increased to 3-0 in the third when
Carrasco, like Perkins, also had a two hit game as ended up 2-for-4 with two RBI while hitting fifth in the Wilmington lineup. Isbel, meanwhile, hit fourth and went 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI. Kasser hit ninth and also went 2-for-4 with one of his two hits being a two-out RBI single in the fourth that put Wilmington up 4-0.
Zavolas was on the hook for all four of Wilmington's runs between the first and fourth innings. He remained in the game through the sixth, but left with Carolina down 4-0 and after allowing four runs on six hits. He also walked two and struck out five (including three in the first) while reaching 86 pitches (64 strikes) in the game.
Reliever
Wilmington totaled 11 hits and scored six runs in the game while going 6-for-20 with runners in scoring position. They stranded 10 in the victory, but provided more than enough offense for Tillo and the Wilmington pen as
Both of Carolina's runs were scored in the eighth after the Mudcats loaded the bases and brought across runs on a sacrifice fly from
Carolina loaded the bases three times in the game, but managed just the two runs over those three chances. The Mudcats ended up going 2-for-5 with runners in scoring position in the loss and left nine men on base.
Feliciano went 2-for-4 with a run in the game for Carolina. Silva went 2-for-4 with a RBI and McInerney was 1-for-1 with three walks and a RBI.
Wilmington took a 9-1 lead in the overall season series between the two teams with the victory. They also went up 1-0 in the current series and dropped Carolina to 1-3 in their current home stand.
The series will continue on Sunday afternoon with the first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Five County Stadium. RHP
Individual game tickets, season ticket plans, group ticket packages and the latest mini plans are all available now by visiting the Five County Stadium front office, by calling (919) 269-CATS (2287) and by visiting carolinamudcats.com/tickets.
# # #