Updated July 13 2017
Morehead City Marlins first baseman Randy Perez (Central Methodist) scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure the amazing walk-off victory over the visiting Edenton Steamers from Puck O’Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium Thursday evening. The Marlins win on a walk-off wild pitch for the second consecutive game by the same final score, while MHC earns its first home win over Edenton in the 2017 season.
Morehead City improves to 15-18 overall and 2-3 in the second half of the season. Edenton falls to 20-15 overall and 3-3 in the second half of the 2017 campaign. The Marlins return to action tomorrow evening when they travel to Buck Hardee Field at Legion Stadium to face the Wilmington Sharks. First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. with all the play-by-play action being called on the MHC Mixlr Station. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on the Marlins Radio Network.
Perez led the Marlins offensive attack, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. In addition to Perez’s game-winning run, his incredible night at the dish included the game-tying solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning and the game-tying two-RBI single in the bottom of the ninth.
Marlins second baseman Steven Taylor (Mercer) went 1-for-3 with a RBI, while his MU teammate Jackson Ware posted an identical 1-for-3 mark with one run scored. For Edenton, Tristen Carranza (New Mexico State) led the Steamer bats going 2-for-3 with one run scored. Anthony Maselli (Boston College) and Dominic Cuevas (NC Central) each contributed one RBI, while finishing 1-for-3 at the plate.
Edenton struck first on a RBI fielder’s choice from Chris Ayers (Indiana State) to give the Steamers a 1-0 advantage in the top of the fourth inning to break the scoreless tie. Edenton starting left-handed pitcher Nick Wegmann (Binghamton) had a no-hitter through six complete frames before Perez smacked the game-tying solo homer in the bottom of the seventh to knot the score at 1-1.
The Steamers quickly answered with three runs in the top half of the eighth inning to grab the 4-1 lead, highlighted by RBI singles from Maselli and Cuevas. Morehead City’s incredible comeback began on a RBI single from Taylor to trim the deficit in half at 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth before Perez drilled a two-RBI single in the bottom frame of the ninth inning tie the ballgame at 4-4. Perez then advanced to third base and scored the game-winning run to secure another walk-off triumph for the Marlins.
Morehead City right-handed reliever Freddie Beamon (USC Aiken) got the win, improving to 2-0. Edenton righty reliever Andrew McDonald (Virginia Tech) took the loss, falling to 3-3. Marlins starting pitcher Zach Usselman (NC State) posted a strong outing, allowing one earned run on five hits in season-high 7 2/3 innings pitched with five strikeouts.
The Marlins return home to Big Rock Stadium Saturday night (7/15), hosting the Wilson Tobs at 7:05 p.m. before consecutive off-days on Sunday and Monday. Morehead City then travels to Historic Hicks Field on Tuesday, July 18 to finish the suspended game from July 2 against the Steamers.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 22nd season in 2018, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had over 1,450 alumni drafted and 111 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @CPLBaseball..Contact:Jackson Kaplan
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