WILSON, N.C. – A quartet of Hill City pitchers combined to strikeout 14 batters and limit Wilson to just three hits as the Howlers downed the Warbirds 6-3 on Wednesday night at Wilson Ballpark.
Hill City (7-4) broke a two-all tie in the third with a pair of runs on a balk called against Miqueas Merceds (L, 0-1) along with an RBI single from Robert Arias to go ahead 4-2.
The Howlers added to their lead in the seventh on a Cannon Peebles two-run home run to stretch the margin to 6-2.
Wilson (4-7) attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, scoring on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Pedro Ibarguen to make it 6–3. However, Wilson stranded the bases loaded in that inning and left six runners on base overall, halting any further rally.
Zane Petty (W, 2–0) earned the win with 2.1 scoreless innings in relief, while Angel Perez (S, 3) pitched a clean ninth inning to complete the win.
The series continues Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. as the Warbirds host Hard Hat Heroes Night and the season’s first Thirsty Thursday™. Wilson is slated to send RHP Enniel Cortez (0-1, 4.76) to the hill while Hill City will counter with RHP Joey Oakie (0-1, 6.00).