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Writer's pictureGrant DeVivo

Ninth Inning Magicians

Shorebirds walk it off in back-to-back weekend nights

*Cover Photo Credit: Hannah Reagle


Aron Estrada hit a walk-off sacrafice fly on Saturday. Photo: Hannah Reagle

Walk-off magic has been the name of the game lately in Salisbury, Maryland, and for the Delmarva Shorebirds. They utilized the walk-off in back-to-back contests on Friday and Saturday, giving them a chance this evening to earn a series split with the Myrtle Bach Pelicans.


It all started on Friday night, as the game entered the bottom of the 9th with Demarva down 2-1. It had been a well-contested battle at this point between both teams, specifically with pitching. Myrtle Beach's Tyler Schlaffer held Delmarva scoreless in his 5-inning start, while Jacob Cravey allowed just one run in 4.1 innings of relief, collecting 6 strikeouts along the way.


The Shorebirds stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 9th against Vince Reilly. Stiven Acevedo led off the inning with a single. The Shorebirds then put runners on first and second after a fielder's choice and a throwing error by Myrtle Beach. Aneudis Mordan picked up a hit on a bunt, loading the bases. This is where Myrtle Beach fell apart as Reilly proceeded to walk in a run, and then catcher Miguel Pabon surrendered a passed ball off of his glove, allowing the winning run to score. This sealed a 3-2 comeback victory for Delmarva.


On Saturday night, the Shorebirds were initially down 4-3 in the bottom of the 8th until Jake Cunningham cleared the bases with a 3-RBI double to put Delmarva on top 6-4. After blowing the lead in the top of the 9th, the Shorebirds found themselves all even up with the Pelicans for the bottom half of the inning.


Delmarva loaded the bases thanks to a Myrtle Beach error and singles by Kevin Guerrero and Leandro Arias. With one out, the red-hot hitting Aron Estrada stepped up to the plate against Shane Marshall. Strangely enough with the incredible season that Estrada has had, he has onlybeen a .214 hitter in the 9th inning this season.


That did not seem to matter here. He proceeded to take a fastball towards left-center field as Mordan, the runner on third, proceeded to tag at third base. He would end up scoring as he chugged home on a sacrafice fly, and the Shorebirds had claimed their second straight come-from-behind victory.


The Shorebirds will look to pull out some more magic tonight as they are set for the series finale against the Pelicans. Juan Rojas will get the start for Delmarva against Myrtle Beach's JP Wheat. First pitch is set for 5:05 pm at Arthur Perdue Stadium.




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