K-Tribe holds off elimination

Published in Sports on September 14, 2004 1:56 PM

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WILMINGTON, Del. -- There is a definite trend emerging for the Kinston Indians in the 2004 Carolina League playoffs.

When the Indians must win, they do.

Monday night was no different, as the K-Tribe got a great start from Brian Slocum and finally rediscovered their clutch hitting in a 3-1 win over Wilmington to keep the season alive.

Kinston is now three-for-three in elmination games in the postseason, although the Blue Rocks still lead the best-of-five Mills Cup Championship Series two games to one.

Pitching in front of 31 friends and family members, Slocum, who pitched collegiately at nearby Villanova University, kept Wilmington off-balance for 62Ú3 innings and the offense got him two early runs of support.

Slocum improved to 1-0 in the playoffs, working into the seventh while allowing just one run on four hits. He walked three and struck out eight.

Hughes (1-1) suffered the loss despite a career-high 11 strikeouts in 62Ú3 innings. Malave led the way offensively, going 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Game four is set for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday in Wilmington. Adam Miller will start for Kinston, while Jason Kaanoi will go for Wilmington.