Pelicans fall to Potomac in series finale

The Pelicans and the Nationals slammed 5 home runs combined, but Potomac gets the better of Myrtle Beach, 4-3 in the series finale. The loss marks the first time this season that the Pelicans split a series. It also ends the Pelicans streak of eight consecutive series wins.
The Pelicans literally powered the scoreboard in the top of second inning. After Brandon Powell drew a walk, Brandon Hicks launched his sixth home run of the season over the center field wall to give the Pelicans an early 2-0 lead. Potomac responded in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Edgardo Baez matched Hicks by hitting a two out solo home run over the left field wall that cut the lead in half.
After two innings of scoreless baseball, the Pelicans broke through again in the fifth. Once again it was the long ball that produced the damage as Phillip Britton delivered his first homer of the season to push the advantage to 3-1.
Seemingly in control, Pelicans reliever Nick Fellman ran into trouble in the seventh. Fellman retired the first hitter of the inning before the inning spiraled downhill. Brian Peacock greeted Fellman rudely with a solo home run to left. Michael Martinez followed with a single to right field. Then, Matt Rogelstad hit the fifth home run of the night to vault the P-Nats in front 4-3. The Rogelstad home run turned out to be the game-winning blast as the Pelicans were unable to muster anything in the late innings.
Pelicans starter Gonzalo Lopez pitched well in 3.1 innings and did not factor into the decision. He gave up just three hits and a run, while striking out three. Potomac starter Craig Stammen pitched a commendable five innings, giving up just two hits. Unfortunately for Stammen, the two hits he allowed accounted for three Pelicans runs and he also did not factor into the decision.
Lopez was replaced in the middle of the third after feeling pain in his left knee. Jeff Lyman took over and was solid in 2.2 scoreless innings. Bryan Dumesnil followed Lyman with a perfect eigth inning.
Jack Spradin took the win for the P-Nats, allowing just two hits and no runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Yunior Novoa earned his third save of the season as he put the finishing touches on the series in the ninth.
The Pelicans return to BB&T Coastal Field on Friday to take on the Wilmington Blue Rocks to open a six-game home-stand. The Pelicans will send RHP Chris Vines (1-0, 0.84) to the mound, while the Blue Rocks will counter with RHP Jason Godin (2-2, 3.82).