(Coastal Plain League)

Carrying a five-game win streak into Thursday night’s game, the Morehead City Marlins emerged from the All-Star Break the same way they entered it. A balanced offensive attack and another solid pitching performance from Brent Powers allowed the Marlins to defeat the Peninsula Pilots 6-3 in front of 1,830 at Puck O’Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium.

Morehead City (26-16, 11-3 second half) erased an early Pilot lead with single runs in the third and fourth innings against Peninsula (25-23, 12-8 second half) starter Coby Cowgill (L, 4-1). With the score tied at one in the fourth, Chad Oberacker drove in Luke Smierciak with an RBI single through the right side. The first of Oberacker’s two run-scoring hits gave the Marlins the lead for good, 2-1.

The Marlins added two more runs in the home half of the fifth, as Joe Sclafani knocked in Chris Taylor with a single and Steve Marino drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Preston Shuey for the eventual winning run.

With a lead in hand, Powers (W, 6-2) cruised through his seven innings on the mound. After giving up hits to two of the Pilots’ first three batters of the game – including Chas Crane’s RBI single – Powers only allowed two baserunners in his next six innings. At one point, Powers retired 15 Peninsula batters in a row from the second to seventh innings. He gave up just four hits and did not walk a batter.

Powers also racked up nine strikeouts in a start for the second consecutive time, dating back to Jul. 13 against the Florence RedWolves. His total of 66 strikeouts leads Morehead City’s staff and ranks second in the Coastal Plain League. Powers has also now earned a win in each of his last six appearances.

Corey Bass and Oberacker notched RBI singles in the sixth and seventh, respectively, to give Powers and the Morehead City bullpen a 6-1 lead. Ryan Smith threw a scoreless eighth before being charged with two runs in the top of the ninth. He gave way to Thomas Girdwood with one out in the frame, as Girdwood finished off the Pilots without allowing the tying run to come to the plate.

Sclafani, Oberacker and Preston Shuey each recorded multi-hit games for Morehead City. Luke Smierciak recorded the Marlins’ only double, Chris Taylor scored two runs and Oberacker also contributed two stolen bases. As a team, Morehead City drew seven walks and only struck out four times.

The loss drops Peninsula's record to 12-8 and third in the North Division.  The Pilots return home Saturday July 24 as they welcome Outer Banks in a 7 p.m. showdown at War Memorial Stadium.

(Coastal Plain League)

Carrying a five-game win streak into Thursday night’s game, the Morehead City Marlins emerged from the All-Star Break the same way they entered it. A balanced offensive attack and another solid pitching performance from Brent Powers allowed the Marlins to defeat the Peninsula Pilots 6-3 in front of 1,830 at Puck O’Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium.

Morehead City (26-16, 11-3 second half) erased an early Pilot lead with single runs in the third and fourth innings against Peninsula (25-23, 12-8 second half) starter Coby Cowgill (L, 4-1). With the score tied at one in the fourth, Chad Oberacker drove in Luke Smierciak with an RBI single through the right side. The first of Oberacker’s two run-scoring hits gave the Marlins the lead for good, 2-1.

The Marlins added two more runs in the home half of the fifth, as Joe Sclafani knocked in Chris Taylor with a single and Steve Marino drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Preston Shuey for the eventual winning run.

With a lead in hand, Powers (W, 6-2) cruised through his seven innings on the mound. After giving up hits to two of the Pilots’ first three batters of the game – including Chas Crane’s RBI single – Powers only allowed two baserunners in his next six innings. At one point, Powers retired 15 Peninsula batters in a row from the second to seventh innings. He gave up just four hits and did not walk a batter.

Powers also racked up nine strikeouts in a start for the second consecutive time, dating back to Jul. 13 against the Florence RedWolves. His total of 66 strikeouts leads Morehead City’s staff and ranks second in the Coastal Plain League. Powers has also now earned a win in each of his last six appearances.

Corey Bass and Oberacker notched RBI singles in the sixth and seventh, respectively, to give Powers and the Morehead City bullpen a 6-1 lead. Ryan Smith threw a scoreless eighth before being charged with two runs in the top of the ninth. He gave way to Thomas Girdwood with one out in the frame, as Girdwood finished off the Pilots without allowing the tying run to come to the plate.

Sclafani, Oberacker and Preston Shuey each recorded multi-hit games for Morehead City. Luke Smierciak recorded the Marlins’ only double, Chris Taylor scored two runs and Oberacker also contributed two stolen bases. As a team, Morehead City drew seven walks and only struck out four times.

The loss drops Peninsula's record to 12-8 and third in the North Division.  The Pilots return home Saturday July 24 as they welcome Outer Banks in a 7 p.m. showdown at War Memorial Stadium.