OFFENSE AND PITCHING LEAD SHOREBIRDS TO 8-1 WIN

‘Birds Record Double Digit Hits For First Time in July

Salisbury, Md. – The Delmarva Shorebirds hit three homers in a game for the second time this year as they cruised past West Virginia, 8-1, at Perdue Stadium on Wednesday night. The Shorebirds notched more than 10 hits for the first time since June 30th. The 13 hits were the most since June 2nd, when they recorded 13 against Greensboro.

West Virginia scored their lone run of the night in the first inning. Jarek Cunningham hit a one out double. Two batters later, Rogelio Norris hit a flare single into right-center field to plate Cunningham.

The Shorebirds were quick to respond in the bottom of the first. Brian Conley blasted a 3-2 pitch over the right-center field wall to tie the game at 1-1. It was his third homer of the season.

In the second, the Shorebirds grabbed the lead. Levi Carolus led off with a towering homer to left field. It was also his third homer of the season.

The ‘Birds were back to work in the third inning. Ty Kelly hit a lead off single to left field. The next batter, Tyler Townsend, belted a double to deep left field to score Kelly from first. Townsend moved to third on a wild pitch and later scored on a single to right by Carolus to give the ‘Birds a 4-1 edge.

After going without a run in the fourth, the Shorebirds tallied three more in the fifth off Brandon Holden. Kelly led off with a line drive single to right field. Townsend followed with a triple off the base of the wall in straight away center field. Kieron Pope then hit a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Townsend. The Shorebirds took a 7-1 lead on a homer to right-center by Steve Bumbry, his third of the year.

Kenny Moreland tossed a gem to earn his fifth win of the season. He retired 17 of the final 19 batters he faced and allowed only four hits in 6.2 innings pitched. Moreland also fanned eight batters without issuing a walk.

James Brandhorst tossed 1.1 innings and allowed only one hit. David Walters made his Shorebirds debut in the ninth inning and tossed a scoreless frame.

Brandon Holden (1-9) was tagged with the loss in 5.0 innings on the hill. He allowed nine hits and seven runs.

The Shorebirds play game two of the series on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Jesse Beal toes the rubber for Delmarva.