Lucas Herbst hits two run homer in debut
Lakewood, NJ – Maikel Franco hit a two run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Lakewood BlueClaws (29-27) to a 6-4 win over the Delmarva Shorebirds (20-37) on Monday night at FirstEnergy Park.
The Shorebirds jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Gregory Lorenzo and Roderick Bernadina hit back-to-back infield singles. After Lorenzo moved to third, Michael Ohlman hit a line drive sacrifice fly to left field to put the Shorebirds in front 1-0.
In the second, the Shorebirds increased their lead. In his first South Atlantic League at-bat, Lucas Herbst hit a two run home run to right field to increase the lead to 3-0.
Lakewood got on the board in the bottom of the second. Franco hit a lead off double and scored on a bases loaded walk by Trey Ford.
The Shorebirds increased their lead to 4-1 in the fifth inning. Connor Narron drew a two out walk and was driven home on a double to left field by Michael Ohlman.
Shorebirds starter Parker Bridwell pitched five strong innings, but did not factor into the decision. He yielded three hits and one run with four walks and one strikeout.
Jesse Beal entered in the sixth inning and tossed a scoreless frame.
Lakewood then tied the game with a three run seventh inning against Beal. The BlueClaws used three doubles to tie the game. Franco’s double to score Aaron Altherr tied the game.
Gene Escat took over for Beal in the eighth inning. Escat tossed a scoreless eighth inning.
In the ninth, Franco hit a two run homer to left field to lift the BlueClaws to a walk off 6-4 win.
Ohlman and Starr each had two hits to lead the Shorebirds offense, which outhit the BlueClaws 10-9.
The Shorebirds and BlueClaws play game two of the series on Tuesday, August 21 at 7:05pm. RHP Zach Davies is the scheduled starter for Delmarva.
