The Miners win! ⛏️ Sussex County (42-31) edged the Down East Bird Dawgs (29-43), 5-4, in the first of six games at historic Grainger Stadium in Kinston, NC. The Miners have now won three straight contests. Mahki Backstrom’s 12th home run of the season—a two-run blast—broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning and put Sussex County up for good. The first baseman finished the evening with three hits, two runs scored, and two RBI. Designated hitter Abdel Guadalupe went 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs. Starting pitcher Billy Parsons (ND, 7-3) held Down East to three runs in 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and a half dozen walks while striking out four. Newcomer Parker Primeaux (W, 1-0) earned the win after relieving Parsons in the top of the sixth. Chad Gartland, fresh off the IL, and Tyler Luneke blanked the Bird Dawgs the rest of the way. The combination of the New York Boulders’ loss against the Evansville Otters with Sussex County’s win allowed the Miners to slide back into first ...