Potomac battles Myrtle Beach for Carolina League Championship
Three wins. That's all that stands between the Potomac Nationals and the Carolina League Championship known as the Mills Cup.
With a sweep of the Wilmington Blue Rocks last week, the P-Nats punched their ticket to their first league finals in 19 years. Now they face the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in the best-of-five series that kicks off tonight at BB&T Coastal Field.
Potomac, who went 11-9 against Myrtle Beach this season, allowed only three runs in their three-game sweep of the Blue Rocks. The Pelicans needed four games to defeat the Winston-Salem Warthogs.
Both, the Nationals and Pelicans won their first and second half division titles and both teams had the best overall record in the Northern and Southern divisions respectively.
Former first-round draft pick, right-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler and three relievers combined to shut out the Blue Rocks, 1-0 last Saturday night. Detwiler stranded 12 runners in 5 1/3 innings of work. He gave up two hits, both singles, walked five and struck out four to earn the win.
Brandon Whiting's single in the third, scored Michael Burgess, who doubled, for the only run of the game. They were the only hits Potomac had on the evening, but they made them count.
If the P-Nats win the Mills Cup, they would join the DSL Nationals, who captured their second straight DSL Championship with a 4-1 win over the DSL Giants in best-of-three series last Friday.
Game 2 is Tuesday night, also at BB&T Coastal Field. Game 3, and if necessary 4 and 5, will be at Pfitzner Stadium, beginning Thursday night. All games are scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m.
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