MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Pelicans come up just short

Heath's solid start nixed by home run in the first inning

By Josh Hoke - jhoke@thesunnews.com

MYRTLE BEACH --

Pelicans pitcher Deunte Heath watched the ball and his perfect record leave the ballpark at the same time Tuesday.

Heath scattered six hits over seven innings in one of his best efforts this season, but gave up a three-run, first-inning home run to Potomac's Marvin Lowrance that sparked the Nationals to a 4-3 win at BB&T Coastal Field.

Heath left a fastball up in the strike zone and out over the plate, and Lowrance connected on the first round-tripper against Heath this year.

Heath entered the game at 4-0 and was fourth in the Carolina League in ERA. Despite his one mistake, Myrtle Beach manager Rocket Wheeler is pleased with the progress his 22-year-old righty has made this season. After walking 20 batters in his first 35 innings this year, Heath, a 6-foot-4, 205 pounder, had just two Tuesday.

"He went right after hitters, and he stayed aggressive," Wheeler said. "That's what we are trying to teach them to do. He pitched well. He's pitched the same way all year."

Heath was all smiles in the locker room after the game, although he was wishing he could take one pitch back.

"Just one," he said. "I did pretty good tonight. [My season] is going pretty good, but it's just getting started."

Potomac scored the winning run on Leonard Davis' RBI single in the third inning that plated leadoff batter Jemel Spearman, who also scored on Lowrance's home run.

Adrian Alaniz improved to 3-0 for the Nationals after giving up three earned runs and five hits in five innings. The Pelicans, however, had their chances, stranding 11 runners.

Their only runs came on Brandon Powell's second-inning home run - the second of the year for the former Coastal Carolina standout - and Tyler Flowers' RBI single in the fifth inning. The Pelicans struck out 14 times.

Still, they are playing with plenty of confidence and lead the Carolina League's Southern Division at 19-13.

"We've really come together," Powell said. "The guys are pitching their butts off. Guys are getting timely hits. We're doing the things it takes to win."

ONLINE | To view Hoke's high school sports blog 'Prep Talk,' go to MyrtleBeachOnline.com.

Who | Myrtle Beach Pelicans

 vs. Potomac Nationals

When | 10:35 a.m.

Where | BB&T Coastal Field, Myrtle Beach

Radio | The Team 93.7-FM, 93.9-FM, 1050-AM

Potomac Nationals4

Myrtle Beach Pelicans3

Contact JOSH HOKE at 843-626-0318.