SHOREBIRDS SCORE LATE RUN TO SQUEEZE PAST TOURISTS, 5-4

James Brandhorst Earns First Win

Asheville, N.C. – The Delmarva Shorebirds defeated the Asheville Tourists 5-4 in the series opener at McCormick Field on Wednesday night. Mikey Planeta and Ty Kelly each notched three hits.

The Tourists plated the game’s first run in the third. Eliezer Mesa opened the frame with a double. After Tony Butler issued three straight walks, Joe Sanders hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Avery Barnes.

Asheville plated two more runs in the fourth. Jared Clark connected on a two-run double that scored Joey Wong and Mesa.

The Shorebirds fought back in the sixth inning. Ty Kelly led off with a double. Following a walk to Tyler Kolodny, Planeta hit a single to score Kelly. Two batters later, Gary Helmick hit a two-run double to left field to tie the score at 3-3.

The ‘Birds took the lead in the seventh. Rosa delivered a double up the left field line. Then, T.J. Baxter placed a sacrifice bunt to advance Rosa to third. He came into score on a wild pitch to give the ‘Birds a 4-3 lead.

Asheville scored the equalizer in the eighth inning. Nathan Hines hit a one out double. Then, on a base hit into center field by Jose Gonzalez, Hines scored as Planeta sailed the throw home to the backstop.

In the ninth, the Shorebirds regained the lead. Baxter reached on an error by shortstop Joe Scott. He moved to third on a perfectly executed hit and run by Ty Kelly. Baxter scored on a soft flare in the infield by Tyler Stampone.

James Brandhorst earned the win in 1.2 innings pitched. He allowed two hits and no runs. Nick Haughian pitched the middle portion of the game. In 3.1 innings pitched, he allowed only three hits and no earned runs. Tony Butler went four innings in a starting role for the ‘Birds

The Shorebirds play game two of the series on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.