WILSON, N.C. - The Wilson Warbirds did not allow an earned run on Friday night and used a big eighth inning to down the Delmarva Shorebirds 7-2 at Wilson Ballpark.
Wilson (22-21) started the game hot with Jarrette Bonet striking out all three batters he faced in the top of the first. They went right to work with Handelfry Encarnacion drawing a leadoff walk and Brady Ebel mashing a two-run home run to right field. The Warbirds led 2-0 after one.
Bonet turned in the best start of the season for Wilson, carrying the Warbirds through 6.1 innings while striking out six Delmarva (15-28) batters. Peyton Niksch (W, 3-1) entered in the seventh and ran into a little bit of trouble. A Juan Ortuño two-out throwing error with the bases loaded plated two runs and tied the game at two apiece.
Wilson entered the eighth inning needing just one run to take the lead and found five. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Tyler Rodriguez drew a walk to plate the go-ahead run and give Wilson a 3-2 advantage. Yannic Walther followed that act, smoking a two-run single up the middle to provide the Warbirds with both insurance and a 5-2 lead. A string of Delmarva errors plated two more, seeing Wilson in front 7-2 heading to the ninth.
Niksch came back out for the ninth and struck out two Shorebirds in the frame to close the deal and secure the 7-2 triumph.
Luis Beltrán (L, 1-2) was the losing pitcher for Delmarva, allowing each of the five runs in the bottom of the eighth.
With a share of the series already in hand, Wilson can clinch a series win Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Carlos Carra (1-5, 7.34) looks to post a quality start for Wilson against reigning Carolina League Pitcher of the Week Caden Hunter (1-0, 0.95). Tickets for tomorrow’s game are available at WilsonWarbirds.com. There will be another fireworks show after the contest.