Zebulon, NC - Dennis Anderson singled home Chip Ambres in the 10th inning as Carolina kept its first half hopes alive with a 7-6 victory at Five County Stadium on Friday night.

For the second straight night, Carolina (36-32) left the Diamond Jaxx (36-31) on the field. Ambres (1-4, r, 2b, w, k) walked on a 3-2 pitch from Evan Fahrner (L, 1-3). Brian Strelitz (W, 1-0, 2ip, 1h, 0r, 0w, 0k) sacrificed Ambres to second on just his second professional plate appearance. Anderson (1-5, rbi), who was 0-4 at the time, smacked a 1-1 pitch over the mound into center as Ambres raced home without a throw from Dwaine Bacon. Carolina defeated West Tenn 4-3 in 10 innings on Thursday night.

With the victory, the Mudcats moved into a second place tie with Chattanooga, but remain two games behind first-place Tennessee with two to play in the first half. The Mudcats must win their two remaining games and Jacksonville must defeat Tennessee twice to force a first half tie, which would lead to a one-game playoff during the second half at Five County on July 15.

Pat Magness (HR, 5, 1-5, 2rbi) homered with a man on in the eighth to tie the game against Jared Blasdell. Josh Willingham (0-4, r, w) reached on an error by shortstop Ronny Cedeno ahead of the Magness blast.

Carolina lost a 4-1 lead as West Tenn scored five times in the seventh inning thanks to five walks and two hits.

Brian Strelitz (W, 1-0, 2ip, 1h, 0r, 0w, 0k) earned the win with two scoreless innings.

Matt Demarco (3-5, 2r, 3b, rbi, k) singled home pinch-runner Todd Moser (ND, 3+ip, 2h, 3r, 3er, 2w, 2k) in the third inning, followed by Josh Wilson's (HR, 9, 2-3, 3rbi, 2w, k) two-run homer for a 3-1 lead. Wilson then singled in a fifth inning run after a triple by Demarco.

Bill Murphy (ND, 3ip, 3h, 1r, 1er, 0w, 3k) started for Carolina, working three innings, but was removed after doubling in the bottom of the third with an injured toe.

Trevor Hutchinson (5-3, 4.80) returns from the disabled list to start Saturday night's game against the Diamond Jaxx. Reynel Pinto (5-4, 3.95) will oppose.

West Tenn 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 --- 6 8 1 4
Carolina 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 --- 7 11 0 9

WP - Strelitz (1-0)
LP - Fahrner (1-3)
S - None.

HR - Lewis (6), Wilson (9), Magness (5)

Time: 3:17
Att: 4,926

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