By Will Flemming
For PotomacLocal.com
Myrtle Beach, S.C. –– Jose Lozada’s two-out safety squeeze in the seventh inning scored J.P. Ramirez and sealed a comeback 4-3 win that split Wednesday’s doubleheader in Myrtle Beach. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak, including a 6-3 decision in the opener, and gives the Nationals a chance to split their four-game series in Myrtle on Thursday.
Joe Testa (1-0) pitched a scoreless sixth inning in his 2011 Potomac debut and earned the victory in the nightcap, while Pat Lehman notched his fourth save to close out the win. Leury Garcia had singled to open the seventh inning, moved to second on a sacrifice fly and to third on Mike Olt’s fly ball to left, but Lehman stranded him there by striking out Jared Prince.
In the early part of the nightcap, it looked like the Nationals may remember the ballgame as one in which they failed to capitalize on opportunities. In the first and third innings, they loaded the bases. No runs scored in the opening frame, and Potomac mustered just one run in the third on Steven Souza’s single to left that made it 1-0.
Myrtle surged into the lead in their half of the third, led by Ryan Strausborger, who had the best day of his career. The Pelicans leftfielder belted two home runs and drove in five in the opening game, and his third homer of the evening made it 3-1 Pelicans. Andres James had reached on an error to open the inning and scored on Jared Bolden’s triple.
Potomac came right back to tie it in the third, but again left men aboard. A pair of one-out walks to Lozada and Cutter Dykstra ended starter Kennil Gomez’s night. Jeff Kobernus then doubled off Chad Bell to score Lozada. Dykstra crossed the plate and scored on Destin Hood’s groundout.
It would remain tied until the seventh, when manager LeCroy dialed up the squeeze in a 2-1 count for Lozada. It was the second time on the road trip the Nats executed the play to perfection.
Potomac led the opening game for the first four innings behind a solid start from Mitchell Clegg. But with two outs in the fifth, Bolden singled before Strausborger hit his first bomb to left to give Myrtle the lead for good.
He struck again in the sixth, with a blast off Rob Wort with two aboard to put the game out of reach. His first three homers of the season gave him seven RBIs on the day.
The Nationals look to split the series on Thursday, and they turn to righthander Trevor Holder at 7:05 p.m.
Will Flemming is the Director of Broadcasting for the Potomac Nationals.
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Experience the magic of opera up close at Virginia Opera: A Taste of Opera on Wednesday, February 5, at 1:30 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Enjoy a captivating selection of famous arias, duets, Broadway favorites, and more, performed by the talented members of Virginia Opera. This intimate performance promises a mix of drama, passion, and world-class voices.
Tickets are $40 and include both the concert and a dessert reception. The performance runs 60 minutes with no intermission and is perfect for all ages.
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Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade will present her proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to the county school board on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The meeting, open to the public and streamed live on YouTube, will begin at 7 p.m.
A significant component of this year’s budget is a $1.098 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), aiming to address overcrowding, modernize aging facilities, and support long-term student enrollment shifts.
Major Investments in New Schools and Renovations
The CIP includes multiple new school construction projects, such as:
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Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
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Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
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