SEVEN-RUN FIFTH LIFTS SHOREBIRDS TO 11-6 WIN

‘Birds Win Third Straight Game

Hagerstown, Md. – The Delmarva Shorebirds used a seven-run fifth inning, their largest single-inning output of the season, to cruise past the Hagerstown Suns 11-6 at Municipal Stadium on Thursday night. The Shorebirds have won three straight games for the first time since mid-July when they beat the West Virginia Power between July 15th and 17th. Omar Casamayor and Gary Helmick led the 13-hit attack with three hits each. The Shorebirds have notched 40 hits over the last three games.

The 11 runs scored by the Shorebirds are tied for the most in a single game this season. The Shorebirds also plated 11 runs on April 12 against Greensboro.

The Suns were first to strike in the third. Eury Perez hit a one out double. Then, he stole third and popped up to score on a low throw by Austin Rauch that skipped away from Ty Kelly.

The Shorebirds exploded for seven runs in the fifth inning to build a commanding 7-1 lead. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Garabez Rosa hit a two-run double to give the ‘Birds a 2-1 edge. Then, Mikey Planeta hit a roller towards short to plate Casamayor to stretch to the lead to 3-1. Later in the inning, Ty Kelly singled home Rosa. Two bases later, Rauch rifled a double to right-center field to plate three and balloon the lead to 7-1.

The Suns plated a run in the fifth inning to cut the deficit to 7-2.

In the seventh, the Shorebirds tacked on two more runs. Casamayor hit a two-run double to build a 9-2 lead.

Hagerstown added one in the bottom of the seventh and three in the eighth to trim the deficit to 9-6.

The Shorebirds responded by adding two more in the ninth inning. Casamayor recorded his third RBI of the night to stretch the lead to 10-6. Levi Carolus scored on a Gary Helmick groundout.

Nick Haughian pitched very well to earn his sixth win of the season and his first win since July 3rd. In six innings, he allowed six hits and two unearned runs.

T.R. Keating tossed a perfect ninth inning to finish off the Suns.

The Shorebirds and Suns play game three of the series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Patrick Kantakevich makes the start for Delmarva.