Wilson, N.C. — The Morehead City Marlins opened their 14th season in the Coastal Plain League in front of a raucous crowd at historic Fleming Stadium Thursday night, and got off to a solid start defensively.
After a scoreless first frame, the Marlins opened the scoring in the top of the second inning when Chayton Beck singled home Nick Serce with a two-out RBI to right field to put the Fish ahead 1-0.
That lead was short-lived as the Tobs answered swiftly in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two runs with a one-out double to the left-centerfield gap, putting them ahead 2-1.
It was a lead that Wilson clinged to throughout the middle innings. The Tobs tacked on another run in the seventh with a solo shot to left that doubled the lead to 3-1.
The Marlin bats went quiet in the later innings, collecting just one hit in the final four frames of the game, striking out six times in that span.
Despite the loss, Marlin right-handers Ryan Bailey and Koen van ‘t Klooster dazzled on the hill.
Bailey started on the mound, pitching four innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits, with two walks and three strikeouts.
Koen van ‘t Klooster delivered a standout performance in relief, striking out 11 batters in his four innings of work. His only misstep came in the bottom of the eighth inning when he allowed a solo home run to left field.
“He was really good,” head coach Sam Carel said postgame of his reliever. “He just dominated and we really needed that.”
The Marlins will return home to Big Rock Stadium for their home opener on Friday evening to face the Wilmington Sharks. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.