Despite loss, Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ night a success in fundraising for Special Olympics

With one swing of the bat, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans fell into a hole in the first inning Saturday night.

They were unable to dig themselves out.

Starter Paul Blackburn allowed a three-run home run to Winston-Salem’s Omar Narvaez in a four-run first inning and Myrtle Beach’s comeback attempt fell short as the Pelicans fell to the Dash 4-2 at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.

“It set the tone. Any time you get in a hole like that early, you have to fight back,” Myrtle Beach manager Mark Johnson said. “We did a little bit at the end and we had some baserunners at times, but we hit into some double plays and just couldn’t get it done.”

Even though the Pelicans didn’t win Saturday, Johnson declared the night a victory as the team raised over $13,000 for Special Olympics of South Carolina with the team auctioning off the jerseys they wore Saturday for Superhero/Special Olympics Night for fundraising efforts.

The Pelicans were also set to make an appearance at the Grand Strand Miracle League on Saturday afternoon, but were unable to attend due to it being canceled because of weather conditions. While the Pelicans were upset they couldn’t make it out, they did their part in bringing awareness and raising money for the cause.

“That’s outstanding. Any time you can do something for the community and the Special Olympics, we’re there to help out any which way we can,” Johnson said. “Everybody was very disappointed today that we didn’t get to the game because it was rained out. But to have them here and to have them on the field and enjoy a baseball game, you could tell they were genuinely thrilled and really excited to be here and we’re blessed to have them. Any time you can do something like that, it’s an honor.”

Winston-Salem starter Tony Bucciferro picked up the win as he made a quality start in which he allowed one run on six hits and two walks in six innings.

Meanwhile, Blackburn received the loss as he allowed four runs on six hits and no walks, while striking out three in five innings of work. Reliever Ben Wells tossed three perfect innings out of the bullpen and Jasvir Rakkar pitched a perfect ninth inning for Myrtle Beach.

“Our bullpen did a great job; they kept us in the game. [Blackburn] finished out pretty good,” Johnson said. “They had a good starter and he kept the ball down. We beat the ball into the ground a lot, that was about it.”

Jacob Hannemann and Jeimer Candelario paced the Pelicans’ offense with each going 3-for-4. Myrtle Beach was 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position and left 10 baserunners stranded.

Saturday’s loss marked the first time all season that Myrtle Beach has dropped two straight games and the Pelicans have lost three of their last four.

Myrtle Beach will host the Dash in the series finale Sunday at 5:05 p.m.

“Just one of those days,” Johnson said. “Hannemann and [Candelario] swung the bat well and had a good night. Guys battled; we just couldn’t get it done.”

This story was originally published April 25, 2015 at 10:55 PM with the headline "Despite loss, Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ night a success in fundraising for Special Olympics."