Pelicans lose second straight after clinching crown

By: Matt Lincoln | SCNOW
Published: June 09, 2008

The Pelicans came to Kinston looking to clinch the first half title. They did that on Friday - since then they've lost two straight. The K-Tribe exacted a bit of revenge again, topping Myrtle Beach Sunday 5-4.
The Pelicans raced to the lead in the top of the first inning. Willie Cabrera ignited the charge with a one out single to left field. After Eric Campbell flew out, Cabrera stole second with Ernesto Mejia batting. Mejia capitalized with a double to left field that scored Cabrera.
The K-Tribe took control of the game in the second. Cirilo Cumberbatch drew a one out walk. Niuman Romero followed with a single that advanced Cumberbatch to third. Both runners came into score on a fielder’s choice groundball by Adam Davis, coupled with an error charged to Eric Campbell on the play as well. After Davis advanced to third on a single by Jerad Head, an error by Robert Marcial allowed Davis to cross the plate to give the K-Tribe a 3-1 edge.
The Pelicans kept their composure and knotted the score in the sixth. Cabrera drew a leadoff walk. On a groundout by Campbell, Cabrera advanced to second. Once again, Ernesto Mejia delivered a run scoring hit to left field. Mejia wound up reaching second on an error by Nicholas Weglarz. Mejia’s big night improved his team-best RBI total to 41. Jon Mark Owings made the K-Tribe pay for the miscue by hitting a single to left field that scored Mejia to tie the game.
The K-Tribe regained the advantage in the bottom of the sixth with a leadoff home run to right-center field by Niuman Romero (4).
The feisty Pelicans were aided by an error and a wild pitch in the top of the seventh. Phillip Britton led off the frame by reaching on a throwing error charged to Jerad Head. Paul Bennett then placed a sacrifice bunt to move Britton to second. A pass ball by catcher Adam Davis allowed Britton to move up 90 feet to third. Brandon Hicks then ripped a two out single to left field to bring home Britton and tie the game at 4-4.
A blink of an eye and you missed the K-Tribe retaking the lead once again. Beau Mills started the bottom of the seventh inning with his seventh home run of the season to give the K-Tribe a 5-4 advantage. The home run turned out to be the final run scored in the game.
Deunte Heath pitched six strong innings for the Pelicans but did not factor into the decision. Although four runs crossed while Heath was pitching, only two of them were earned. Heath surrendered just five hits. The loss was tagged to Jeff Lyman, who allowed the game-winning home run to Beau Mills in the bottom of the eighth. Mike Pontius picked up his third win for the K-Tribe in two innings of work. K-Tribe closer Luis Perdomo retired the Pelicans in order to earn his Carolina League leading 13th save of the season.
The Pelicans return to BB&T Coastal Field on Monday, June 9th to begin a week long seven-game homestand against the Lynchburg Hillcats and Salem Avalanche. The Pelicans will send LHP Scott Diamond (3-0, 1.89) to the mound, while the Lynchburg Hillcats have yet to name a starter for the series opener.

Pelicans lose second straight after clinching crown

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