SALEM, Va. — A new name, a fresh start, and an opening-series win made for a memorable debut weekend for the Salem RidgeYaks.
Playing their first games under a new identity in the Single-A Carolina League, the RidgeYaks took their opening series against the Delmarva Shorebirds, highlighted by a narrow Opening Day victory and timely performances throughout the set.
Salem opened the season Thursday with a 5-4 win at Salem Memorial Ballpark, marking the franchise’s first game since rebranding from the Salem Red Sox during the offseason. The RidgeYaks built an early lead and held off a late Shorebirds rally, as Delmarva pushed across runs in the eighth and ninth innings but fell just short.
Right-hander Dylan Brown set the tone in the opener, delivering five shutout innings with six strikeouts in his professional debut, while the offense was paced by Skylar King, who drove in three runs with a pair of doubles.
The series continued with a back-and-forth affair Friday, as Delmarva evened things with an 11-10 win in a high-scoring contest. Salem responded offensively after an early deficit, highlighted by a three-run home run from Stanley Tucker, but ultimately could not hold the lead late.
In Saturday night’s series finale, the Salem RidgeYaks defeated the Delmarva Shorebirds 5-3 to secure the opening series victory. Salem built a five-run lead through the first eight innings before Delmarva mounted a late rally in the ninth. The Shorebirds scored three runs and threatened to erase the deficit, but the RidgeYaks held on, closing out the game with the tying run left short. The win marked Salem’s second victory of the series and sealed its first series win under the RidgeYaks name.
The RidgeYaks, the Boston Red Sox’s Single-A affiliate, are looking to build on a rebrand that reflects the Blue Ridge region while climbing the Carolina League standings in 2026.
For now, the early returns are promising: a new identity, a competitive roster, and a series victory to begin the year.
