The Pelicans achieved a perfect record with a 14-9 victory over Columbia. Dawson Netz was promoted from South Bend to Knoxville after not pitching for South Bend this year.
MESA, AZ - MARCH 21: Josiah Hartshorn #22 of the Chicago Cubs bats during the game between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Aryanna Frank/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Right-hander Dawson Netz was promoted from South Bend to Knoxville. He hadnât yet pitched for South Bend this year and pitched for both teams last season.
Charlie Barnes started and got the win after allowing just two runs on four hits over five innings. Both runs came on a two-run home run in the fourth by Kameron Misner. Barnes struck out four and walked no one.
Barnes has now pitched in three games this year and is 3-0, although this was his first start.
The I-Cubs took an early lead when second baseman Pedro Ramirez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first. It was Ramirezâs fourth home run of the year already. His career-high in a season is only eight. He also hit an RBI double in the sixth inning, giving him three total runs batted in today. Ramirez went 2 for 5 and scored twice.
In the second inning, catcher Eric Yang made it 5-0 with a three-run home run. He also chipped in an RBI single in the third inning that made it 6-0. Yang went 3 for 4 with a double, the home run and four total RBI. He scored twice.
In the sixth inning, third baseman BJ Murray cranked a three-run home run, which was also his fourth home run this year. Murray went 2 for 5.
First baseman Jonathon Long went 2 for 5 with an RBI double in the sixth. Long scored twice.
Tyler Schlafferâs season debut had some good and some bad. The bad was that he gave up three runs on three hits over three innings. The good was that he struck out six and walked just one.
Tyler Schlaffer in his season debut:
3.0 IP | 3 H | 3 R | 1 BB | 6 K
I thought he pitched much better than the line shows. Defense didnât do him any favors and a couple of bloops fell in.
Generated a bunch of swing-and-miss with good life on his fastball and sharp secondaries. pic.twitter.com/7IMJs31MRf
Erian Rodriguez relieved Schlaffer and his appearance was pretty much all bad. Rodriguez put the Smokies down 7-4 after giving up four runs on four hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out just one.
Netz kept the Trash Pandas in check with two scoreless innings of relief in his season debut. Evan Taylor pitched the top of the ninth and got the win. Taylor allowed a one-out single, but no other baserunners. He struck out two.
Arias pinch-hit for Ethan Hearn in the eighth inning, flew out and then stayed in the game to catch the top of the ninth. He came to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and delivered a two-run single up the middle to win the game.
Left fielder Jordan Nwogu hit a solo home run in the third inning. Nwogu was 2 for 4 and scored twice. He was also hit by a pitch.
Center fielder Carter Trice was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. He was intentionally walked in the ninth to face Armas.
Third baseman Karson Simas went 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. He also singled home the first run of the game in the second inning.
Shortstop Jefferson Rojas was 2 for 5 with a double.
Seiya Suzuki took two at-bats as the designated hitter before exiting. He struck out in the first inning and walked in the second inning. He may have had a plane to catch.
Hereâs Nwoguâs home run.
Jordan Nwogu goes deep to left for his first home run of the 2026 season. Heâs been swinging it well early, 7-for-18 (.389 AVG) with a 1.011 OPS. pic.twitter.com/J5WM8GzFfw
It was a great first start of the year for Brooks Caple, who got the win after pitching five innings and allowing just one unearned run on one hits. He dominated the plate with seven strikeouts and no walks. He did hit one batter.
Brooks Caple tonight:
5.0 IP | 1 H | 0 ER | 0 BB | 7 K
He attacked hitters all night, filling up the zone and mixing well to keep opponents guessing. pic.twitter.com/gQ7a3FO6om
Alfredo Romero was just as good, getting a four-inning save. Romero gave up just one hit and no runs. He struck out five and walked no one.
Shortstop Angel Cepeda opened the scoring with a two-run single in the third inning. Cepeda wasnât done as he had another RBI single in the fourth. The final line on Cepeda was 3 for 5 with a walk and the three RBI. He also stole a base and scored once.
Third baseman Reginald Preciado also had a great game, going 2 for 5 with a solo home run in the third inning. Preciado scored twice.
Catcher Justin Stransky hit his first professional home run in the seventh inning with two men on. He had earlier hit an RBI single and a sacrifice fly, giving him five RBI on the night. (That doubles his career total in one night.) Stransky was 2 for 4 and scored twice.
Center fielder Kane Kepley doubled twice in a 2 for 6 game. He also stole third base and scored twice.
Second baseman Drew Bowser was 2 for 5 with two doubles. He drove home two and scored twice.
First baseman Matt Halbach was 3 for 5. He had one RBI and scored once.
Right fielder Kade Snell went 2 for 5 with a double and one run scored.
Thomas Frank started and turned in a solid 3.2 scoreless innings, Frank allowed on hit. He walked three and struck out three.
Luis A. Reyes had a pretty disastrous performance in relief of Frank. He entered the game with two outs in the fourth and after walking the first batter, he got a pop up to end the inning. Then Reyes came on to pitch the fifth inning and walked the first five batters before he was pulled from the game. All five of those walks came around to score.
Edwardo Melendez came on to relieve Reyes with the bases loaded and no outs and he got out of the inning, but not before allowing all three inherited runners to score. However, Melendez was awarded the win as the âmost effectiveâ pitcher since Frank didnât go five. Melendezâs final line was no runs (of his own) on three hits over two innings. He did strike out five and walked one.
Shortstop Ty Southisene went 2 for 5 with a bases-loaded walk and an RBI triple in the fourth inning. He drove in four runs total.
Left fielder Jose Escobar was 3 for 6 with a double. He also had four RBI and scored once.
Second baseman Ludwing Espinoza went 2 for 3 with a double and three walks. He scored twice and drove in the first run of the game with a single in the second inning.
First baseman Josiah Hartshorn was 2 for 4 with two walks and a stolen base. Hartshorn scored one run.
DH Michael Carico went 2 for 4 with two walks. He scored twice and drove home one.
Catcher Logan Poteet went 2 for 5 with a sacrifice fly. He scored twice.
The Pelicans won despite their pitching staff issuing 12 walks. It helped that their lineup walked 16 times.
