By: Evan Rogers

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — Behind a pair of costly errors, the Holly Springs Salamanders (17-15) fell to the Morehead City Marlins (24-8), 7-5, Thursday night at Ting Stadium. 

After trading scoreless frames in the first inning, the Marlins’ barrels sprang into action. In the top of the second inning, third baseman Jase Felker’s (Kentucky) line drive homer highlighted a three-run frame for Morehead City. 

Second baseman Gavin Troutman (Lock Haven) helped regroup Holly Springs in the third inning. After his one-out single zipped into right field, the Salamanders loaded the bases with a drawn hit-by-pitch by left fielder Connor Denning (Campbell).

Moments later, designated hitter Will Stewart (UNC) inched a 2-RBI double down the first-base line, cutting the Marlins’ lead to one run. One batter later, catcher Robert Brooks’ (Columbus State) groundout helped plate the tying run. 

However, the gridlock was short lived between the two teams. In the succeeding frame, shortstop Colton Becker’s (Morehead State) sacrifice fly to left field helped Morehead City regain the lead, 4-3.

Following a 30-minute weather delay, Morehead City’s offense remained hot. Lead-off man Bryce Miller (Northern Kentucky) rocketed a solo shot into the left-field netting to score the first of two runs for the Marlins in the sixth inning. 

Despite a two-run eighth inning by Holly Springs, Morehead City’s lead proved too large to overcome as the Marlins took the win, 7-5.

In the defeat, Stewart and first baseman Alberto Osuna (UNC) led the charge for the Salamanders. The two combined for two RBIs, including Osuna’s rocket to left field that helped trim the Marlins’ advantage late in the contest. 

The Salamanders return to Ting Stadium to take on the Asheboro Zookeepers on Friday. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.