Story by Noah Adcock-Howeth, Augusta GreenJackets
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – After being dismantled by the Pelicans 11-2 in the series opener, the GreenJackets battled back in Game 2, utilizing a 6-run 3rd inning to split the night with a 6-2 victory.
Game one began as an early pitcher’s duel before Myrtle Beach’s offense exploded in the late innings. Yenrri Rojas and Luis Arestigueta traded zeroes through 3.5 frames, with Arestigueta retiring the first 10 hitters faced. After Jose Escobar singled to lift the lid, however, Arestigueta’s command faltered. The righty hit each of the next two batters to load the bases, and allowed RBI walks to both Yahil Melendez and Christian Olivo to give the Pelicans a lead.
With the dam opened, Myrtle Beach began to pour on a barrage of insurance to overwhelm Augusta. A hit by pitch and two singles to start the fifth chased Arestigueta, and reliever Jackson Dannelley fared no better, as two more hits, a walk, and another hit by pitch led to a six-run inning. The Pelicans tacked on three more in the sixth for an 11-2 advantage, handing Dannelley a career-high in runs allowed, putting no doubt in the finale. Augusta’s two runs fell in the top of the sixth, on an RBI single from Colby Jones and a sac fly from Mason Guerra.
The nightcap began with a bit of intrigue, as the Jackets tasked Jacob Kroeger with his first start of the year after a dominant six weeks of relief. Kroeger, who started for the majority of his college career, was more than up to the task, and turned in one of his most solid outings as a pro.
The Pelicans did not muster much pushback against Kroeger, but the little they did display came in the bottom of the second. Matt Halbach led the way with a one-out single, and advanced to second on a bobble from Owen Carey. Melendez singled to advance Halbach to third, and Eriandys Ramon poked a knock that brought home the game’s first run.
The GreenJackets wasted no time answering, as each of the first three hitters of the third reached base against starter Will Frisch. With the bags full and no outs, Frisch appeared to find his footing, forcing John Gil and Carey to both pop up on the infield and bring himself within an out of a big zero. Fate would not have it, however, as Frisch’s command lapsed and he walked both Isaiah Drake and Jones to give the Jackets their first lead of the night. Struggling to right the ship, Frisch grooved a breaking ball to Douglas Glod, and paid the price dearly, as Glod hammered it over the outfield bleachers for a grand slam to cap a 6-run frame.
The hefty lead would reinvigorate Kroeger, as he allowed no further offense as he worked through five innings and his first win as a starter in pro baseball. The GreenJackets were unable to add to their lead against the Pelican bullpen, but a scoreless 6th from Justin Long and one-run 7th from Trent Buchanan kept the Birds at bay and handed the Jackets their first win at Pelicans Ballpark this week.
Weather permitting, the rest of the week will be a return to normalcy and nine-inning games, with the Jackets and Pelicans back at 7:05 p.m. Thursday under the lights in Myrtle Beach. Jeremy Reyes will take the ball for Augusta, while Alfredo Romero faces the GreenJackets for the second time this year, and first as a starter.
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