Mudcats surge late for series win

Mudcats

Mudcats surge late for series win

May 31, 2012

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Zebulon, N.C. — The Carolina Mudcats scored five runs in the eighth inning to finish off the Wilmington Blue Rocks 7-2 in front of 2,189 on Thursday night at Five County Stadium.

Dale Dickerson (4-2) got the win, a solo home run his only blemish in an inning of relief. More Info More Mudcats Stories

With the score tied 2-2, Giovanny Urshela and Jesus Aguilar reached on back-to-back, one-out hits against reliever Santiago Garrido (2-2). Jeremie Tice hammered a deep fly to right that glanced off the top of the wall and bounced back into play. The double put Carolina on top, 3-2.

After an intentional walk of Carlos Moncrief to load the bases, Jake Lowery brought home a pair with a ground ball through the right side of the infield. Ronny Rodriguez mashed a double to the gap in left field to drive in two more, putting Carolina further ahead, 7-2.

The Mudcats (25-27) led for much of the night thanks to a great outing from Mike Rayl. The left-hander allowed one run over seven innings. Rayl struck out a season-high eight batters, scattered four hits, but did not factor in the decision.

Wilmington (24-28) scored both runs on a pair of long balls. A solo shot by Brett Eibner off Rayl in the second put the Blue Rocks out front 1-0. However, a double by Lowery during the Mudcats’ half of the second promptly tied the game.

Carolina took its first lead in the third on a ground ball by Urshela. The lead remained until a round tripper by Whit Merrifield knotted the score 2-2 in the eighth.

The Carolina Mudcats begin a seven day road trip Friday night. The club faces the Winston-Salem Dash for the first of three beginning at 7 p.m. Carolina returns to Five County Stadium for a four-game set against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on June 8. Tickets are available through the box office by calling (919) 269-2287 or visiting carolinamudcats.com.