SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 7/16 vs. West Virginia

PREVIEW: Following a game two shutout of West Virginia, the Shorebirds aim for their fifth straight win. It was the fifth shutout of the season for Delmarva pitching. The Shorebirds longest winning streak of the season is six, accomplished between June 14 and June 19. Delmarva remained in second place last night, three games out of first.

STARTING PITCHING SUCCESS: Over the last nine games, Shorebirds starting pitching has allowed just 32 hits and three earned runs in 54.2 innings pitched. Further, the seven starters have combined to strike out 49 batters with just eight walks.

FIRST IN LEAGUE IN WALKS: The Shorebirds rank first in the SAL in walks with 302 on the season. Brian Conley is second in the loop with 63 while Ty Kelly is fourth in the league with 46.

TOWNSEND PLAYING WELL: Townsend has six hits, six runs and four RBIs in the last 4 games.

16 OF 17: Brian Conley has reached base in 16 of the last 17 games that he has appeared dating back to June 25.

4-FOR-47: Garabez Rosa is 4-for-47 over his last 13 games.

LEAVING PERDUE STADIUM: The ‘Birds have connected on four home runs in the last two games here at Perdue. Coming into this series, the Shorebirds had only hit 15 home runs in 44 games this season. The Shorebirds have hit home runs on back-to-back days at home for the first time all season. Only one time prior have the Birds hit home runs in two straight games at Perdue Stadium (6/27 vs. LWD, 7/4 vs. HIC).

CONLEY STEALING BAGS: Brian Conley has four stolen bases in the last three games. He ranks second on the club 16. Conley has not been caught stealing in his last 14 attempts. Coming into this season, Conley had only stolen eight bases in 102 minor league games.

BEAL THIRD IN LEAGUE: After seven innings last night, Jesse Beal is third in the SAL in innings pitched with 105.1 on the season.

SECOND FIVE-GAME STREAK? The Shorebirds eye their second five-plus-game win streak of the season in game three against the Power. The Shorebirds won a season best six in a row between 6/14 and 6/19 against Kannapolis and Lexington.

SECOND PLACE: The Shorebirds are in sole position of second place in the Northern division. The last time the Shorebirds were in second place was on May 8 when they were 16-13. The Shorebirds are three games behind Lakewood.

21 STRAIGHT: Shorebirds third baseman Ty Kelly has gone 21 straight games without an error. Kelly has made only nine errors in 81 games this season.