Late rally lifts Carolina over California

There was standing room only for the All-Star battle between the California and Carolina Leagues at B&BT Coastal Field. A crowd of 6,599 witnessed an Edgardo Baez solo homer run in the bottom of the eighth inning that was the difference maker in the 3-1 Carolina League victory. The boisterous crowd was the largest to witness a game at BB&T, breaking the Pelicans season opening record of 6,336.

Festivities began early on the Grand Strand with a homer run derby that preceded the game. The Pelicans Ernesto Mejia put on an aerial assault early, setting the mark at seven homers in the first round. Brandon Hicks would tie his teammate to force a swing off. Following Mejia’s four long balls, Hicks followed with a friendly three as a fan lunged out and pulled one into the bleachers. The California Leagues’ Pablo Sandoval would challenge the Pelicans First Baseman in the finals. Sandoval would connect on two home runs in the five out set. Mejia would counter with three mammoth shots to win the derby.

In the prime time event the Carolina League raced to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning.  Joe Dickerson (Wilmington), Jim Negrych (Lynchburg) and Matt Wieters (Frederick) all singled to start the inning against California League starter Ben Snyder (San Jose Giants).  The Wieters single on a breaking pitch scored Dickerson to give the Carolina League a 1-0 lead.

The California knotted the game at one apiece in the top of the fifth inning.  Pedro Ciriaco (Visalia) reached on an error by Matt Rogelstad (Potomac).  He was brought home later in the frame on a single by Archie Gilbert (Stockton) into the right-center field gap. 

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Edgardo Baez (Potomac) belted a solo home run to break a 1-1 tie.  Pelicans shortstop Hicks padded the lead later in the inning as he singled up the middle to score Niuman Romero (Kinston).

The Most Valuable Player Award presented by Major League Baseball Advanced Media was given to Edgardo Baez, who hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the eighth.  The Bank of America Pitcher of the Game went to Jake Arrieta (Frederick), who set the tone for the Carolina League on the mound, blanking the California League in the first inning.

All six Pelicans saw action in the game.  Ryne Reynoso worked his way out of a jam, only allowing one run in the fifth.  Kyle Cofield pitched a scoreless eighth inning.  Pelicans closer Bryan Dumesnil retired the two batters he faced in the top of the ninth.  Brandon Hicks went 1-4 with an RBI, Ernesto Mejia went 1-4, while Travis Jones went 0-1. 

The Pelicans return to the diamond on Thursday, June 26th to begin a three-game series against the Potomac Nationals.