SHOREBIRDS CRUISE PAST BLUECLAWS 7-2 TO LEVEL SERIES

Matt Hobgood Tosses Four Solid Innings

Lakewood, NJ - The Shorebirds jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first and rode the pitching staff to a 7-2 victory over Lakewood on Sunday night at FirstEnergy Park. The Shorebirds scored at least seven runs for the first time since July 3.

Ty Kelly jumped started the ‘Birds in the first inning with a knock through the right side of the infield. Brian Conley then drew a walk. Tyler Townsend reached on a grounder that popped up on Jonathan Singleton’s wrist at first to load the bases. Then, Steve Bumbry drew a bases loaded walk to give the ‘Birds a 1-0 lead. Levi Carolus followed with a sharp double down the right field line to give the Shorebirds a 3-0 edge.

Matt Hobgood tossed four stellar innings in his second start of the second half. He allowed just two hits and an unearned run. Hobgood fanned four and walked just one.

Lakewood trimmed the deficit to one in the fourth inning. Jiwan James opened the half inning with a bunt back to Hobgood, who fired high to first base. James raced to second as right field Brian Conley picked up the ball and threw low to second and over the left field line. James took third. The next batter, Leandro Castro hit a sacrifice fly to center field.

The ‘Birds tallied a run in the fifth inning. Third baseman Jeremy Barnes misplayed a hard grounder down the left field line by Luis Bernardo. Gary Helmick followed with a sharp single back up the middle to score Bernardo from second.

Lakewood tacked on a run in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 5-2

In the seventh, Tyler Townsend hit a double to deep left field to plate Brian Conley, who drew his 60th walk of the season.

The Shorebirds tallied two more runs in the eighth inning. Luis Bernardo, who went 2-for-5 with two runs, singled and scored later in the frame on a wild pitch. Brian Conley plated Gary Helmick on a chopper to the right side of the infield to give the ‘Birds a 7-2 edge.

Brian Parker earned the win in three innings of middle relief. He allowed four hits and one run. Lakewood starter Trevor May was tagged with the loss in four innings. He struck out nine batters but allowed five hits and three runs.

The Shorebirds and BlueClaws play the series finale on Monday morning at 11:05 a.m.