Howlers Rally to Stun Shorebirds in Series Opener
Delmarva Unable to Hold Late Lead
LYNCHBURG, VA: The Delmarva Shorebirds (32-59, 9-16) were defeated 6-4 by the Hill City Howlers (40-51, 9-16) on Wednesday night.
After a scoreless first inning, Félix Amparo put Delmarva in the lead with a sacrifice fly that scored Jordan Sanchez, making it 1-0 after two innings.
The Howlers responded in the third inning when an error on a stolen-base attempt by Dauri Fernandez tied the game. Riley Nelson then put Hill City in front with a two-out, RBI double, giving them a 2-1 advantage.
It remained a 2-1 game into the eighth until the Shorebirds broke through, taking the lead on a two-run single by Stiven Martinez with the bases loaded, giving them a 3-2 edge. Miguel Rodriguez added another run with an RBI single moments later to make it 4-2.
However, the Howlers came back with an answer, taking advantage of a pair of walks. Dauri Fernandez brought home three with a bases-clearing double to regain the lead at 5-4. Cannon Peebles added one more run with an RBI single to score Fernandez, giving the Howlers a 6-4 advantage entering the final inning.
The Shorebirds put together a threat by putting the tying runs aboard in the final frame, but they could not cash in, falling to the Howlers 6-4.
Connor Whitaker (1-0) earned the win in relief, while Zac Lampton (1-2) took the loss for Delmarva.
The Shorebirds look to bounce back on Thursday as they'll face the Howlers in a doubleheader starting at 5:00 PM, with game two to follow 30 minutes after game one.