The Myrtle Beach Pelicans battled back out of a 3-0 first inning hole, but couldn’t finish the deal late, falling in 10 innings, 5-4, to the Frederick Keys on Monday night.
Tied at four in the 10th, the Keys put two men on base against Pelicans reliever Joe Van Meter. Both Michael Flacco and Ty Kelly walked, bringing Kip Schutz to the plate with a chance to win it. The Keys leftfielder then lined the looper to left that Cookie Castillo played on a bounce. The outfielder’s throw home was just up the third base line, allowing Flacco to score from second and win the game.
Myrtle Beach had to battle back just to get to extras, however. Frederick came ready to hit, jumping on Pelicans starter Nick Tepesch for three runs in the first. All three scores came on two homeruns from Aaron Baker (4) and Flacco (1). Frederick went up 4-1 with run in the third when Ty Kelly scored while Schutz was caught in a rundown between first and second.
The Pelicans offense arrived in the second. Brett Nicholas ripped a double to the wall in left to score Tomas Telis and make it 3-1. It was the fourth straight game with a double for Nicholas. The Birds first baseman grounded out to get a run home in the fourth too.
Down two in the fifth, the Pelicans loaded the bases against Keys starter Mike Wright. With two outs Christian Villanueva delivered the team’s first bases loaded hit of the season to score two runs and tie the game. The Pelicans had been 0-10 with the bases juiced.
Tepesch records a quality start in his no decision. He allowed three earned runs in six innings. Ben Rowen tossed three hitless innings of relief. The Pelicans are now 12-11 and have lost three straight. The win moves Frederick to 8-13, snapping a five game skid and seven game slide at home.
The same two teams meet again Tuesday at Harry Grove Stadium. Kyle Hendricks, fresh off an eight inning outing against Frederick, faces lefty Rick Zagone.
