The Hickory Crawdads were unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities Friday night, falling 4-2 to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Pelicans Ballpark.

The loss was Hickory’s second straight after opening the six-game series with back-to-back victories. Despite the defeat, the Crawdads remain atop the Carolina League South Division second-half standings at 10-3 and are 44-33 overall.

Myrtle Beach (6-7 second half, 33-44 overall) evened the series at two games apiece by taking advantage of an early offensive surge against Hickory starter Daniel Keaney.

The Pelicans broke through in the third inning when Jose Silva singled for his first hit with Myrtle Beach before Alexis Hernandez followed with another base hit. Alexey Lumpuy then drove a 1-0 pitch over the fence for a three-run home run, giving the Pelicans a 3-0 lead.

Myrtle Beach added another run in the fifth after Darlyn De Leon singled and later scored on Hernandez’s RBI double, extending the advantage to 4-0.

Keaney (1-1) suffered his first loss of the season, allowing four runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three while throwing 81 pitches. Relievers Mason Jekielek and Adrian Mejia kept the Crawdads within striking distance, combining for 3 1/3 scoreless innings with two hits allowed, four strikeouts and two walks.

Hickory finally broke through in the sixth. Marcos Torres lined a double into the gap before stealing third base. Deward Tovar then struck out, but reached first on a dropped third strike as Torres raced home to trim the deficit to 4-1.

The Crawdads threatened again in the ninth. Tovar drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on Daniel Flames’ second hit of the night. Curley Martha grounded into a double play, allowing Tovar to score the game’s final run before Pelicans closer Sam Mettert recorded the final out for his first save.

Hickory managed just six hits and finished 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position while grounding into three double plays. Flames and Tovar each collected two hits, while Torres added a double, scored a run and stole his 33rd base of the season. Shortstop Yeremy Castillo singled, walked and stole two more bases to increase his season total to 34.

Pelicans starter Daniel Avitia (2-1) earned the win after allowing one run over six innings. Left-hander Hayden Frank dominated in relief, striking out five over three innings before Mettert closed out the ninth.

The Crawdads will try to regain the series lead Saturday when they continue their Independence Day matchup at Pelicans Ballpark. Hickory is scheduled to send undefeated left-hander Aidan Deakins (5-0, 2.19 ERA) to the mound against Myrtle Beach right-hander Brody McCullough (0-0, 3.00 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.