LATE RUNS VAULT SHOREBIRDS TO SIXTH STRAIGHT WIN

Tyler Townsend Goes 3-For-5 With Two Doubles

SALISBURY, Md. – Delmarva first baseman Tyler Townsend went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a run batted in as the Shorebirds defeated the West Virginia Power with a pair of runs in the eighth at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium Saturday. The Shorebirds move 2.5 games back of Lakewood in the second half.

With the game tied, 4-4, in the eighth, Delmarva scored twice for the win. Gary Helmick started the frame with a walk, Brian Conley followed with a one-out single into center and Ty Kelly loaded the bases with another walk. Then, Townsend hit a roller that West Virginia second baseman Jarek Cunningham fielded but missed the tag on Kelly, allowing Helmick to come in with the go-ahead run.

The ‘Birds tacked on a final run on a passed ball as Conley scored.

Delmarva took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. With Ty Kelly on first with a single and one out, Tyler Townsend followed with a double to right and Kelly scored on a throwing error from Jose Hernandez in right field.

T. J. Baxter made it a 2-0 game for the ‘Birds in the bottom of the fourth. Kieron Pope walked to start the frame before Baxter lined a double to left with two out to lengthen the lead.

Townsend added an RBI single up the middle in the fifth off of West Virginia pitcher Melkin Laureano for a three-run lead. With one out and one on, Kelly reached on an error. Townsend’s base hit scored Mike Mooney, who singled to right to start the inning.

West Virginia’s Aaron Baker had a two-out solo homer to right to cut into the lead off Bobby Bundy.

The Shorebirds loaded the bases in the sixth on singles by catcher Justin Dalles and Helmick and a hit-by-pitch from Mooney. Brian Conley then drew a walk to force in a run but a groundball double play ended the inning.

The Power got the run back in the top of the seventh on an Evan Chambers single to right. Bengie Gonzalez walked and stole second before coming around to make it a 4-2 game with reliever Thomas Phelps on.

Phelps (3-1) picked up the win for the Shorebirds with 2.1 innings and Ryan Kelly took the loss for the Power in 1.1 innings.

Kyle Morgan knotted the game for West Virginia in the top of eighth with a two-run blast to right on a 2-2 count.

The Shorebirds and Power close the series Sunday at 5:05 p.m. On the mound for Delmarva will be right-hander Matt Hobgood (3-7, 4.16). West Virginia will go with righty Phillip Irvin (4-1, 2.72). For tickets and information, contact the Shorebirds’ box office at (410) 219-3112.