Smith Hits First Home Run, Pelicans Fall to RiverDogs 8-3

By Sam Weiderhaft

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans dropped the series-opening game 8-3 to the Charleston RiverDogs on Tuesday night. The Birds’ third loss in a row dropped their record to 50-60 and 21-23 in the second half. Charleston improved to 57-55 and 30-17 in the second half.

2024 Cubs’ first-round pick Cam Smith hit his first professional home run on a 418-foot three-run shot to center field in the top of the eighth for the Pelicans’ only runs. Myrtle Beach collected just four hits in the loss.

Starter Yenrri Rojas (4-4) allowed four earned runs off four hits and three walks while committing two balks to take the loss. Mathew Peters also allowed three earned runs in his two frames out of the bullpen.

With an RBI single and a sacrifice fly, Jhon Diaz (1-4, 2 RBI) led the RiverDogs with a pair of runs driven in. Angel Mateo (2-3, 2 2B, RBI, BB) reached base three times off two doubles and a walk while bringing home one run.

Tuesday’s win went to starter Drew Dowd (5-6) after keeping the Pelicans scoreless through the first five innings with six punchouts. Cade Halemanu allowed the three-run home run in his relief outing.

Wednesday night’s game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.