The Salem Red Sox lost the first three games of an eight game homestand last week, but bounced back to take four of the next five and salvage an even split for the week. Salem also held off Frederick to remain in first place in the Carolina League’s Northern Division standings.

Frederick came to town in second place in the Northern Division, a full seven games behind the Sox. But the Keys cut three games off the lead with 9-5, 9-4 and 5-2 wins before the Sox pulled out a 10-7 win on Thursday of last week.

Myrtle Beach was next in town, and Salem turned it up a notch over the weekend. Salem won 7-6 and 9-2 in front of big crowds on Saturday and Sunday before falling 5-1 on Sunday afternoon.

On Monday the Sox played a rare 11 am game and it was a good one. Michael Chavis collected three hits and two RBI, and Josh Ockimey picked up three RBI along with his fifth homer as the Salem topped the Pelicans 10-5 on Education Day at Haley Toyota Field.

The Red Sox earned a series victory and a homestand split, coming back from a four-run deficit to beat the visitors. The Pelicans blew a save opportunity for the second time in the series as Salem scored all 10 runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

The Sox are now on the road for six games. A Tuesday game at Buies Creek was rained out and rescheduled as a Wednesday doubleheader, with a third game tonight. Salem will play a Memorial Day weekend series in Lynchburg beginning Friday, with a four games series through Monday. The Sox are off next Tuesday before returning home Wednesday, May 31, to begin a seven game homestand against Frederick and Lynchburg.

Through Monday the Sox were 28-16. Lynchburg has slipped into second, three and a half games behind the Sox, while Frederick and Wilmington were tied for third place, six games back.