MOREHEAD CITY, NC – It was another tough night for the Marlins against the Salamanders on Friday night at The Rock.
Holly Springs scored two in the first, four in the fifth and four in the ninth, en route to a 10-6 win over Morehead City.
“Not super pleased with our energy the past couple nights,” Marlins head coach Jesse Lancaster said. “It doesn’t feel like our energy is matching where we are in the season right now, and I hope that changes soon. I think it will.”
Just like Thursday night at Ting Stadium, the Salamanders grabbed the game’s first two runs. Cash Young grabbed himself an RBI single, followed by an RBI fielder’s choice from Baxter Halligan.
Four of the Marlins’ six runs were unanswered, coming in the first three innings. One was scored in the first, thanks to an RBI groundout from Zack Miller (Catawba). Another came in the next bottom half, as Sean Johnson (Belmont Abbey) snagged a bases-loaded walk. The final two were scored in the third, with back-to-back solo home runs from Miller and Conner VanCleave (Pittsburg State).
Holly Springs would end up answering in the top of the fifth—and in a big way. Cash Young hit a sacrifice fly, followed by a 3-run home run off the bat of Halligan.
The Salamanders would do it again in the ninth. Young hit himself a 3-run home run, and Brice Martinez got Holly Springs’ tenth run off an RBI fielder’s choice.
Morehead City scored two in the bottom half, but was all it could put together, as the Marlins and Salamanders split the season series, 3-3.
Miller and VanCleave were dominant at the plate tonight. Miller went three for five with two RBIs and a home run. VanCleave went four for five, also hitting a home run.
Morehead City falls to 15-6 in second half play and 29-14 overall. The Marlins can win the second half Saturday night with a win against the Peninsula Pilots. First pitch is set for 7:05. Watch live on FloBaseball or purchase tickets here.