HELMICK’S HEROICS LEAD ‘BIRDS TO 2-1 WIN

‘Birds Play Longest Game of Season

Salisbury, MD – It took three hours and thirty five minutes for the Shorebirds to defeat the Savannah Sand Gnats 2-1 in game one at Perdue Stadium. Gary Helmick hit a bottom of the thirteenth inning line drive single to left field that scored Mikey Planeta.

The Shorebirds and Sand Gnats were dead locked at 1-1 through nine innings. In the 13th inning, Planeta rocketed a triple to the right field corner. Helmick followed with the walk off hit.

Nick Haughian (2-0) earned the win by tossing a flawless 13th inning.

The ‘Birds staff was outstanding. Jesse Beal went 6.0 innings in a starting role. He allowed an unearned run and just six hits. Bobby Bundy then threw three near perfect innings. He struck out five batters. James Brandhorst threw three scoreless innings as well.

The Shorebirds play game two of the series on Tuesday morning at 10:35 a.m