Ray and Mudcats walk-off in extras

ZEBULON, N.C. - Corey Ray drove in Carlos Belonis from first with walk-off double in the 10th inning as the Mudcats defeated the visiting Keys 5-4 at Five County Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Ray was 2-for-5 with three RBIs, Belonis was 4-for-4 with two runs and Jake Gatewood extended his hitting streak to 17 straight games in the victory.

Ray's walk-off hit was Carolina's first of the season and it lifted the Mudcats (13-17) into a four game series split with the Keys (16-15). Ray also drove in two runs with a single to right in the fourth to break what was a 2-2 tie almost midway through the game.
The Mudcats led first in Sunday's series finale after getting back-to-back run scoring doubles from Troy Stokes Jr. and Max McDowell in the second. Both hits came against starter Brian Gonzlaez who worked through four innings for the Keys with 11 hits and four runs allowed.
The Keys later came back with a run in the third and fourth innings to tie the game at 2-2 and Randolph Gassaway answered Ray's two-run single by tying it again with a two-run double of his own in the fifth.
Gassaway's double tied the game at 4-4 and it would stay locked up all the way through the ninth until Belonis and Ray put together a rally off reliever Mitch Horacek to win it 5-4. Horacek (2-1, 2.57) originally came in for the eighth and left the bases loaded after striking out Isan Díaz. In the end, he allowed three hits and one run over and inning and 2/3 while taking the loss.
Freddy Peralta started for Carolina and worked through the fourth with two runs (one earned) allowed on four hits. He also walked one and stuck out six for the Mudcats. 
Marcos Diplan followed and allowed Gassaway's two-run double in the fifth, but went on to hold the Keys scoreless over his next four innings. Diplan struck out five and allowed two runs on four hits over five innings pitched.
Nate Griep (3-0, 1.38) earned the win after holding the Keys scoreless in the tenth. He finished with a walk and a strikeout while earning his third win of the season.
Belonis led the way by matching a career high with four hits in the game for the Mudcats. He was 4-for-4 with a walk and managed to reach base safely in all five of his at bats. Ray, Luis Aviles Jr., Diaz and Trent Clark each had two hits in the game for Carolina. Gatewood was 1-for-5 with a hit in his final at bat and stretched his career high hitting streak to 17 straight games.
The Keys also used relievers Zeke McGranahan (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB) and Mike Burke (1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO) in the loss.
UP NEXT: The Mudcats are off on Monday, but will return to action on Tuesday night in Lynchburg for game one of a four game against the Hillcats. Tuesday's game will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will air live on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio.
Carolina's next home game is on Friday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. against the Winston-Salem Dash. The May 12 game will feature Firday Night Fireworks presented by Sears Home Services. It will also include Pack Your Bags Night where one lucky fan will win a free trip for four to Myrtle Beach courtesy of VisitMyrtleBeach.com. Tickets are available by calling (919) 269-CATS (2287) and by visiting carolinamudcats.com/tickets.
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