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Sands delivers decisive blow in a near-perfect home opener

May 31, 2008

Wilson, NC — It was almost a perfect night at Historic Fleming Stadium in Wilson, North Carolina. Tobs' pitcher Tim Adleman took a perfect game into the seventh inning, and settled for a complete game, one-run masterpiece. Jerry Sands delivered a game winning solo home run in the bottom of the eighth as the Wilson Tobs edged the Florence RedWolves by a 2-1 margin. The 2,083 fans in attendance saw Adleman retire the first 20 batters he faced in order, before he almost lost the game entirely.

On the Opening Night at Fleming Stadium, celebrating its 70th anniversary this season, the Tobs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the second inning. After Chris Henderson doubled, he was sacrificed to third base on a bunt by Justin Parks. Playing small ball, the Tobs scored their first run on an RBI ground out by third baseman Matt Sanders.

Both teams were quiet until the seventh. After Adleman retired the first two hitters in the top of the inning, the 19th and 20th consecutively, he allowed a single to Florence catcher Myckie Lugbauer, breaking up the perfect game. After Seth Kivett was walked, right fielder Blake Walker delivered with a clutch two out RBI single, knocking in pinch runner Jamie Walczak.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the eighth, when first baseman Jerry Sands cracked a long solo home run off of Florence starter Rob Kumbatovic over the scoreboard in left field, sending Fleming Stadium into a frenzy. Adleman finished off the masterpiece himself, retiring the final six hitters he faced.

Both starters went the distance for each team. Kumbatovic, the hard luck loser, allowed just two runs in eight innings while yielding six hits and two walks. Adleman struck out 13 hitters over nine innings, allowing just two hits and one walk. The contest lasted just one hour and 53 minutes, ending just after 9:00 PM. Wilson evened its record at 1-1, while the RedWolves lose their first game of the season, also putting their record at 1-1.

The Tobs will host the Catawba Valley Stars on Cycle Max Saturday at Historic Fleming Stadium in an exhibition contest beginning at 7:05 PM. Fans in attendance will be treated to fireworks after the ball game, presented by Thomas and Farris. Radio coverage will begin at 6:45 PM on WUBN 106.9 FM and the Coastal Plain League WebPass.

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