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COLUMBIA, S.C. – After weather forced the postponement or cancellation of three games in the last two days, the Morehead City Marlins and Columbia Blowfish played an uninterrupted game Wednesday night. Brent Powers earned his team-high seventh win as a seven-run fifth inning carried the Marlins to a 9-3 victory at Capital City Stadium.

The game was tied at one until Morehead City (29-19, 14-6 second half) broke open the contest with seven runs in the top of the fifth against starter Tyler Webb (L, 0-3) and reliever Tucker Hawley. Morehead City sent 12 batters to the plate in the frame, as the first seven Marlins to hit each reached base and came around to score.

The biggest blast of the inning was Chris Schaeffer’s two-run single to left. Joe Sclafani had two singles in the inning – driving in one - while Chris Taylor and Matt Ciraco each drew bases-loaded walks.

Brent Powers (W, 7-2) took the mound for Morehead City and delivered a workmanlike five-inning effort. Columbia (23-28, 11-12 second half) had at least one runner on base in all but the first inning against Powers, but for the most part the left-hander was able to work out of trouble. Overall, he allowed two runs on four hits.

Powers struck out four batters on Wednesday, enough to pass Shawn Armstrong and take over the Marlin team lead with a total of 70 during the summer season. He also now leads the Marlins with seven wins, earning those wins in each of his last seven appearances.

After Powers’ outing, three Marlin relievers combined to throw the game’s final four innings. D.J. Jauss gave up a run in the sixth before Jeff Guthridge came on to retire two straight batters and escape the inning. Josh Herzenberg then retired all nine batters he faced, striking out three en route to his first save as a Marlin.

Morehead City supported its bullpen with an insurance run in the top of the seventh, as Joe Sclafani singled home Matt Ciraco – his third hit of the night - to put the Marlins ahead, 9-3. Luke Smierciak matched Sclafani’s total with three hits, driving home Justyn Carter for the Marlins’ first run in the top of the third inning.

With the win, Morehead City splits the season series with Columbia, 6-6. The Marlins won four of six second-half contests against the Blowfish.

The Marlins return home for the first of four games in three days against the Florence RedWolves. Former New York Yankee manager Clyde King will serve as a guest skipper for Morehead City tomorrow, with Ben White set to throw the game’s first pitch at 7:05.

The Morehead City Marlins are the newest member of the Coastal Plain League. The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 14th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts.