Mudcats Blanked in Game 1 in Kinston

KINSTON – The Mudcats and Wood Ducks locked up in a pitcher’s duel that saw Down East win their eighth straight game 1-0 in game one of a doubleheader on Thursday night at Grainger Stadium in Kinston. The Mudcats were held to just one first inning hit while falling to the undefeated Wood Ducks.

The game was scoreless through seven, thus forcing the extra frame where Dustin Harris delivered the game winning hit for the Wood Ducks (8-0). Carolina’s Cam Robinson allowed the game winning after originally entering the game just one batter earlier.

Carolina's only hit of the game came from Felix Valerio in the opening off Down East starter Wyatt Sparks. The Down East bullpen, including Nick Starr, Joe Corbett and Joshua Javier worked the rest of the game and held the Mudcats without a hit the rest of the way. Javier (1-0, 0.00) earned the victory after pitched a scoreless eighth and stranding two base runners.

Brendan Murphy started for the Mudcats and struck out six against four walks over five full innings. He was then followed by Juan Geraldo and Cam Robinson who worked the final two plus innings. Robinson took over for Geraldo (1-1, 0.00) in the eighth and went on to allow of three inherited baserunners to score.

The Mudcats ended up stranding five total baserunners in the game, including two in the eighth and final inning.

TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:
Valerio, F, 3B-SS (Carolina): 1-for-3
Harris, 1B (Down East): 1-for-3, 1 RBI
Freeman, C (Down East): 2-for-4

TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:
Murphy (Carolina): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 6 SO
Sparks (Down East): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
Starr (Down East): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO
Corbett (Down East): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
Javier (W, 1-0) (Down East): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO

SCORING:
Wood Ducks 8th (Wood Ducks 1, Mudcats 0) -- Defensive switch from 3rd to shortstop for Felix Valerio. Defensive switch from shortstop to left field for Noah Campbell. Defensive Substitution: Ashton McGee replaces left fielder Micah Bello, batting 4th, playing 3rd. Xavier Valentin starts inning at 2nd base. Xavier Valentin steals 3rd base. Jayce Easley walks. Jayce Easley steals 2nd base. Juan Geraldo intentionally walks Evan Carter. Pitcher Change: Cam Robinson replaces Juan Geraldo. Luisangel Acuna grounds into a force out, Gabe Holt to Darrien Miller, Xavier Valentin out at home, Jayce Easley to 3rd; Evan Carter to 2nd. Dustin Harris singles to center field, Jayce Easley scores; Evan Carter to 3rd; Luisangel Acuna to 2nd.
(1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 3 LOB)