News

Sponsored by

Tobs fall in extras to nemesis SwampDogs

June 4, 2008

Wilson, NC — It was another dramatic extra inning night at Historic Fleming Stadium. This time, the Tobs did not walk off with a victory, as they fell to their rival Fayetteville SwampDogs in 11 innings by a 6-5 final score, matching the final score of the first round of the 2007 Petitt Cup Tournament, which eliminated Wilson last year. The loss puts the SwampDogs at a league best 6-1 record, while the Tobs fall to an even 2-2 mark.

The Tobs drew first blood in the bottom of the second inning, when Dan Capeless singled home Matt Sanders to give Wilson an early one run lead. It would not last long as Tobs' starter Tim Adleman surrendered a three run homer in the top of the third to Fayetteville right fielder Alex Vertcnik, making his SwampDogs' debut after winning the NCAA Division II National Championship for the Mount Olive College Trojans.

Wilson answered back in the fourth and fifth inning. Capeless came through once again with an RBI ground out, scoring Sanders to pull the Tobs to within one. In the top of the fifth, Tim Adleman, struggling after his near-perfect debut against Florence, was removed in favor of right-hander Taylor Miller with the bases loaded and no one out. Miller gave his team a tremendous boost by escaping the jam with a strikeout and a double play. The Tobs scored three in their half of the inning to take the lead, highlighted by a Jerry Sands RBI double and an RBI single from Justin Parks.

Miller would not be as successful in the sixth. An RBI single from left fielder Matt Keen cut the Tobs' lead in half, and Conner Crumbliss' sacrifice fly to left tied up the game on a bang-bang play at home plate, which scored Ryan Norton. The game would remain scoreless for the next four and a half innings. Wilson had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the ninth, when Packy Elkins reached third after singling, moving over on a sacrifice, and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Fayetteville's Kevin Quackenbush had the answer, striking out Jesse Lancaster and getting pinch hitter Chris Henderson on a ground ball.

In their half of the eleventh the SwampDogs took the lead on a one out RBI single by Vertcnik, who was not retired by Wilson pitching all night. He went 2-2 with 4 RBI's, and also drew four walks in six plate appearances. The Tobs sent Jerry Sands to the plate in the bottom of the eleventh with the tying and winning runs on base, but he was retired on strikes by Quackenbush, who picked up his first victory of the season. Brandon Brinson took the loss, yielding the winning run in two innings of work on the mound. The Tobs have not beaten the SwampDogs in two years.

"It's tough to win games in the Coastal Plain League," said Tobs' manager Jeff Steele. "Over the last few years, Fayetteville has shown that they have the best ability to execute the little things that determine wins and losses. We struggled as we did against Fayetteville last week leaving runners in scoring position in key situations. They (Fayetteville) have a great team."

Wilson will head on a three game road trip to South Carolina, playing on Thursday and Saturday in Columbia, with a game at Florence on Friday. All three games will begin at 7:05 PM, with radio coverage starting at 6:45 PM on WUBN 106.9 FM. Lefty Steven Evans, a freshman from Liberty University, will get the ball for the Tobs in Columbia tomorrow night as they look to get back on the winning track.

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:
Eric Kopp
252-291-8627