MOREHEAD CITY, NC – It was a wild, dominant, and very long game for the Marlins on Wednesday night. But they got it done, and in a big way.
17 runs scored by Morehead City was more than enough to take down the New York Nine in an exhibition game, 17-2.
“It’s good to get back in town,” head coach Jesse Lancaster (Mount Olive) said. “It’s good to get a win with the guys.”
Despite both teams going down in order in the first inning, the Marlins opened up the scoring in the second. Jordan Johnson (Arkansas-Monticello) hit a 2-run RBI single to score the game’s first runs. The lead increased the next time the Marlins came to the plate, thanks to a 2-run home run from Jack Harris (Newberry) and an RBI double from Johnson.
New York scored two of its own in the top of the fourth, but Morehead City responded with two more. Sean Johnson (Belmont Abbey) and Jack Casbarro (Mount Olive) scored on wild pitches. The Marlins scored four more in the fifth, with RBIs from both Jordan and Sean Johnson and Casbarro.
The run scoring came to a halt in the sixth for Morehead City, but came back to life in the seventh. Dominick Bucko (Youngstown State), Cam Seguin (Elon) and Gibson Krzeminski (Canisius) all drew bases loaded walks. The Marlins scored the game’s final three runs an inning later, thanks to Jordan Johnson scoring on a wild pitch and Sean Johnson hitting a 2-run RBI triple.
As the final score shows, a lot of Marlin hitters stood out at the dish, especially both Sean and Jordan Johnson.
Sean Johnson was a home run away from the cycle. The outfielder, who also made an appearance as a catcher Wednesday night, went three for five in six at bats with three RBIs. Jordan Johnson went two for five with four RBIs.
Harris’ night was not long, but it was still strong. The right fielder went one for two with a 2-run home run in the third inning.
Noah Carter (Catawba Valley), the starter for the Marlins, had a strong outing for Morehead City. The right-handed pitcher gave up three hits, two strikeouts and a walk in three innings pitched.
Eric Miles (Presbyterian) got the win for the Marlins. Miles gave up six hits, two earned runs, six hits, a walk and three strikeouts in three innings pitched.
The Marlins are back in CPL Thursday night against the Wilson Tobs. First pitch from Historic Fleming Stadium is set for 7:05. You can listen live on the Morehead City Marlins Radio Network. Morehead City returns home on Friday night against the Holly Springs Salamanders. Fireworks will follow the conclusion of Friday’s game. Get your tickets here.