By: Evan Rogers

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — In a double header, the Holly Springs Salamanders (13-10) dropped its two contests against the Morehead City Marlins (17-6), Saturday night at Ting Stadium.

After giving up a run in the first inning, Holly Springs looked to bounce back in the next frame. 

Third baseman Eddie Eisert (N.C. State) started the charge with a lead-off single that laced through the middle of the infield. Following a hit-by-pitch, right fielder Patrick Alvarez’s (UNC) 2-RBI single gave the Salamanders their first lead of the night, 2-1. 

Two innings later, Holly Springs added to its lead. With two runners on, and two outs, shortstop Gavin Troutman (Lock Haven) chopped a single through Morehead City’s defense, increasing the Salamanders’ lead to three. 

However, the Marlins responded to their deficit with seven unanswered runs to win the first game, 8-4. Morehead City’s victory was capped off by catcher Zack Miller’s (Catawba) walk-off grand slam to left field in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Following a 30 minutes intermission, the team’s returned to Dick Sears Field for the second bout of the evening. 

In a short time, the Marlins jumped out to an early lead. Catcher Shayne Campbell’s (Reinhardt) RBI double highlighted a four-run second inning for Morehead City, giving the visitors the early lead. 

However, the Salamanders refused to go away. In the bottom of the fourth, center fielder Nathan Humphreys (Dallas Baptist) stole around the diamond, before taking home via a wild pitch.

Leading by three, the Marlins added to its lead in the game’s final two innings. And, shortstop Colton Becker’s (Morehead State) two-run blast off the left-field scoreboard etched Morehead City’s 10-1 win in stone.  

With its two losses, Holly Springs dropped out of contention for the East Division’s top spot in the Coastal Plain League’s first half. Yet, the postseason is still in contention during the season’s latter half, which begins on Wednesday. 

The Salamanders close out the season’s first half at Ting Stadium against the Martinsville Mustangs. First pitch for Sunday’s contest is scheduled for 5:40 p.m.