Contributed
(July 16, 2010)

ZEBULON, NC – Nevin Ashley recorded three hits, including a two-out, tie-breaking single up the middle in the top of the ninth to give the Biscuits (50-39) a 4-3 win over the Carolina Mudcats (41-49) on Thursday at Five County Stadium.

Federico Baez (0-1) had retired the first two Biscuits hitters in the ninth before walking Rashad Eldridge. Eldridge would steal second and score on Ashley’s hit, which came with two strikes.

Ashley put the Biscuits on the board in the first inning with a two-run homer to right field. A John Matulia double in the second brought home Cody Cipriano to make it 3-0, but the Biscuits would go silent over the next six innings.

Meanwhile, the Mudcats were using the long-ball to get back into the game. Devin Mesoraco hit a solo-shot in the fourth off David Newmann to make it 3-1, and after a Mesoraco double chased Newmann from the game with two down in the sixth, Dave Sappelt homered off Josh Satow to tie the game at 3-3.

After Ashley’s single put the Biscuits in front 4-3, the Mudcats threatened against Matt Gorgen (19) in the ninth. Eric Eymann doubled with one out, and Jake Kahaulelio was hit by a pitch to pump the tying run into scoring position, but Gorgen got the final two batters to fly out to finish the contest.

Both starters took no-decisions, with the Biscuits’ David Newmann striking out a season-high seven while allowing two runs on six hits over 5.2. Carolina’s Tom Cochran gave up three runs on eight hits over his 5.1 while striking out six. Dane De La Rosa (6-1) was the winner for the Biscuits, tossing a scoreless 0.2 to finish the eighth.

Ashley and Leslie Anderson each led the Biscuits with three hits. Anderson is now 16-for his last-28.

Jake McGee will toss for the Biscuits in the series-capper on Friday at 6:15 CT.