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Tobs drop season opener in Fayetteville

May 30, 2008

Fayetteville, NC — After Wednesday's opener was rained out in Wilmington, the Wilson Tobs traveled to Fayetteville to take another crack at opening their season. The 2008 season began the same way the 2007 Petitt Cup Tournament ended: with a loss to the Fayetteville SwampDogs. Jerry Sands did all he could to avenge that loss, but the Tobs dropped their season opener to the SwampDogs, 7-4. Fayetteville, who defeated Columbia Wednesday night, is 2-0 to start the year.

The SwampDogs got on the board first in the bottom of the first, thanks to a Kevin Weidenbacher throwing error, which allowed Fayetteville's Matt Keen to score. In the top of the second, Jerry Sands homered to tie up the score at one.

"It's still a big thrill for me," Sands said. "I hit a home run in my first at bat in school bat. It's always fun to hit them, especially in your first at bat. It kind of sets the tone."

Fayetteville re-gained the lead in the bottom of the second, plating two unearned runs when shortstop Conner Crumbliss hit a seemingly meaningless ground ball to pitcher Langford Stuber with runners on first and second. Instead, Stuber threw the ball well over first baseman Dan Capeless' head, allowing both Kyle Adair and Chris Eason to score, putting the SwampDogs up, 3-1. Wilson would cut the deficit in half immediately, when Jerry Sands' RBI double off of the left field wall scored short stop Kevin Weidenbacher.

Wilson would tie up the game in the top of the fourth, when Matt Sanders singled and advanced to third on right fielder Stephen Hunt's two-base fielding error. He would score from third on an RBI ground out from Cam Freeman. The Tobs took the lead in the fifth, when Chris Henderson doubled and came around to score on an RBI ground out off the bat of Jared Richmond.

In the bottom of the fifth, the tables turned for good. With Stuber on the mound and a chance to complete five innings to earn a victory, his throwing got the best of him once again. After the first two runners reached base, Fayetteville's Hunter Nolen dropped a sacrifice bunt down the third base line. Stuber attempted to get the force out at third base, but instead air-mailed third baseman Matt Sanders, throwing the ball down the left field line, scoring the tying run. Derrick Lowery followed with an RBI double, and Frankie Everitte contributed an RBI single to give the SwampDogs a 6-4 lead. Fayetteville added an insurance run in the seventh on a wild pitch by Wilson reliever Zach Woodley.

The Tobs had the right guy at the plate in the ninth inning as the tying run. With two on and one out, right fielder Jerry Sands had a chance to tie up the game with yet another long drive. However, it was not to be, as he flied out to center field, and the game ended when Chris Henderson grounded out to short stop.

Right-hander Ben Reeser picked up the victory for Fayetteville, allowing three earned runs in six innings of work. Derrick Lowery tossed three scoreless innings to save the game for the SwampDogs. Langford Stuber, though he wasn't hit particularly hard, took the loss. He committed two throwing errors and walked five batters in 4.1 innings on the hill, allowing six runs. Jerry Sands finished the game as the hitting star for Wilson, going 2-5 with a home run, a double, and two RBI's.

Wilson will host its home opener on Friday, May 30 against the Florence RedWolves, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive a Wilson Tobs schedule t-shirt, courtesy of Great Graphics. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Wilson Tobs magnetic schedule, courtesy of Budweiser. Right-hander Tim Adleman (Georgetown) will start on the mound for the Tobs, opposed by righty Rob Kumbatovic (Hofstra) for the RedWolves.

The Wilson Tobs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its twelfth season, the Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

Contact:
Ben Jones
252-291-8627