Four Blue Rocks Pitchers Combine on 2-0 Shutout of Carolina

WILMINGTON, DE - Noah Zavolas struck out five over seven quality innings, Tristen Lutz went 3-for-4 and both Ryan Aguilar and Nick Roscetti had two hits, but Carolina ended up on the wrong side of a pitcher's duel as Jackson Kowar and three Wilmington relievers combined on a nine hit 2-0 shutout of the Mudcats on Saturday night at Frawley Stadium.

The loss dropped the Mudcats (17-13) into an 0-2 hole in the three-game series and locked up a series victory for the Blue Rocks (18-12). It was also Carolina's second straight loss, leaving them at 3-3 in the current seven game road trip.
Wilmington's Cristian Perez had the only run scoring hit of the game as his two-run double in the second off Zavolas (1-2, 2.65) plated both MJ Melendez and Sebastian Rivero to put Wilmington up 2-0. Melendez, Rivero and Perez each had one hit in the game, with all three coming in the only run scoring inning of the game.
Zavolas allowed just the two runs while scattering eight hits, walking one and totaling five strikeouts. He also left four men on base and saw two runners caught stealing behind him as his catcher Payton Henry caught three men stealing overall in the loss. In the end, Zavolas reached 87 pitches (63 strikes) while turning in his second quality start of the season. He was later followed by Michael Petersen who pitched through a quick and scoreless eighth inning.
Kowar (2-1, 2.45) led the way for the Blue Rocks in his start as he pitched around nine hits while holding Carolina scoreless over six and 2/3 innings. Kowar struck out seven, walked one, stranded four and induced two double plays while reaching 103 pitches (65 strikes). 
Josh Mitchell finished the seventh in place of Kowar and left two men on in what was his first appearance of the season. Daniel Duarte then followed Mitchell in the seventh and was able to escape a first and third jam while getting Henry to hit into an inning ending double play. Closer Tad Ratliff (S, 8) then worked the ninth while retiring the Mudcats in order to finish the game.
The Mudcats were held to 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position in the loss and left seven men on base. The shutout loss was their second of the year as they fell to 2-2 in shutouts overall.
Wilmington will look for a series sweep on Sunday afternoon in game three of the series scheduled to begin at 1:35 p.m. at Frawley Stadium. With the victory, the Blue Rocks now lead the overall season series 5-1. The game will air live on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio.
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