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The Pelicans played arguably their most complete ballgame this year, blanking the Air Hogs 8-0. Kyle Middleton went seven innings in the win, and Antoin Gray and Justin Humphries each hit a two-run dinger in the victory.

Pensacola struck in their first shot at the plate, putting two runs on the board. Dallas Christison walked with one out, and Antoin Gray followed with a two-run blast over the left field fence. A mere inning later, Justin Humphries hit the Pelicans’ second two run homer over the very same wall, following a Marcos Rodriguez single.

Kyle Middleton took care of the Air Hogs in the bottom of the second, bringing the Pelicans up in the third. Luis Guance led off and thanked his starter with a double down the left field line. With Luis Bautista at the plate, Guance stole third, coming into score when Bautista hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-0 Pensacola.

The Pelicans opened the fifth with Luis Guance singling to right center. With one out, Gaunce picked up his second steal by swiping second base, and then advanced to third on an error by the catcher. Marcos Rodriguez came up and hit a double to score Guance. With two out, Justin Humphries came up and switched places with Rodriguez by hitting a double.

The Pelicans led 7-0 to start the sixth. Antoin Gray hit a single with one out. Luis Guance walked with two away, pushing Gray to second. When Bautista walked, the bases were loaded, with Marcos Rodriguez striding to the left-handed batter’s box. Rodriguez hit a ball to shortstop that was bobbled; Rodriguez reached, and each runner moved up a base. Gray touched home and the Pelicans were up 8-0.

Kyle Middleton pitched through the seventh giving up five hits, no runs, and striking out six. With his performance tonight, Middleton has pitched the last 18 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. Brent Solich struck out two while retiring Grand Prairie in order in the eighth. Hunter Davis closed it down in the ninth one-two-three with a strikeout.

Offensively, Dallas Christison went 3-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Antoin Gray finished the night 2-4 with two runs scored, two RBI, and the two-run homer from the first inning. Luis Gaunce went 2-3 with two runs scored, a double, and two stolen bases. Justin Humphries went deep with a two-run shot in the second, a double in the fifth, and finished the night 3-5 with 3 RBI and scoring once himself. Marcos Rodriguez hit a double and finished 3-5.

The Pelicans return home during an off day Sunday, resting up to host a three game set against the first-place Fort Worth Cats Monday through Wednesday. Pelican Park will be busy all three days: June 8 is Mutt Monday, as fans are encouraged to bring their canines to the park. Tuesday, June 9 is Teacher Appreciation Day: faculty and staff can purchase buy one, get one free tickets with a school ID. The mornings of June 9 and 10 feature a free youth baseball clinic at Pelican Park, sponsored by Chevy. To sign up for the clinic, go online at chevyyouthsports.com/rsvp.