Myrtle Beach, S.C. – An overflowing crowd of 6,599 fans flocked to BB&T Coastal Field to catch a glimpse of the future stars in the major leagues participating in the 2008 California vs. Carolina League All-Star Game. The massive crowd eclipsed the previous Pelicans franchise record of 6,336 set back on April 11th, 2008, which was the Pelicans home-opener.
The festivities began at 5:30 p.m. when the top four power hitters from the two leagues collided in the 2008 Carolina Cooling Home Run Derby. Ernesto Mejia (Myrtle Beach) outlasted Pablo Sandoval (San Jose) in the championship round to claim the derby.
The Carolina League raced to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Joe Dickerson (Wilmington), Jim Negrych (Lynchburg) and Matt Wieters (Frederick) all singled to start the inning against California League starter Ben Snyder (San Jose Giants). The Wieters single on a breaking pitch scored Dickerson to give the Carolina League a 1-0 lead.
The California knotted the game at one apiece in the top of the fifth inning. Pedro Ciriaco (Visalia) reached on an error by Matt Rogelstad (Potomac). He was brought home later in the frame on a single by Archie Gilbert (Stockton) into the right-center field gap.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Edgardo Baez (Potomac) belted a solo home run to break a 1-1 tie. Pelicans shortstop Brandon Hicks padded the lead later in the inning as he singled up the middle to score Niuman Romero (Kinston).
The Most Valuable Player Award presented by Major League Baseball Advanced Media was given to Edgardo Baez, who hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the eighth. The Bank of America Pitcher of the Game went to Jake Arrieta (Frederick), who set the tone for the Carolina League on the mound, blanking the California League in the first inning.
All six Pelicans saw action in the game. Ryne Reynoso worked his way out of a jam, only allowing one run in the fifth. Kyle Cofield pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Pelicans closer Bryan Dumesnil retired the two batters he faced in the top of the ninth. Brandon Hicks went 1-4 with an RBI, Ernesto Mejia went 1-4, while Travis Jones went 0-1.
The Pelicans return to the diamond on Thursday, June 26th to begin a three-game series against the Potomac Nationals.
For tickets and information the upcoming series or any of the remaining contests at BB&T Coastal Field, call the Pelicans Box Office 843-918-6000 or visit us online at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.
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