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Tobs surrender seven run lead on wild night in Columbia

June 5, 2008

Columbia, SC — The night got off to a great start for the Wilson Tobs. It was their best offensive performance of the season already through the first three innings, scoring seven runs off of Columbia starter Tyler McBride, who came into the game with a perfect 0.00 ERA. However, their early 7-0 lead vanished by the bottom of the seventh, and Columbia scored the go ahead run on a wild pitch in the eighth to win a game that had a little bit of everything, by a final of 10-9. Wilson's record in the CPL falls to 2-3, while the Blowfish are now just ½ game behind the Tobs at 3-4.

In the first, Wilson jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. The first five hitters reached base, and all of them scored off McBride. Matt Sanders, Chris Henderson, and Justin Parks all knocked in runs, and first baseman Dan Capeless continued his hot hitting with a two run single. Steven Evans looked solid through the first couple of innings, and Wilson extended its lead to seven in the third on Cam Freeman's two out, two run single. Then, things took a turn for the worse. Dan Capeless, scoring from second, pulled up lame and came out of the game immediately.

Jared Richmond took over at first for Capeless. Richmond committed an error at the start of the third on a ground ball hit by Columbia's Norris Hopper, and he eventually came around to score to put the Blowfish on the board. In the fourth, it became a game again. Columbia scored four runs off of Evans on four hits, two walks, and another Richmond error to pull the Blowfish to within two.

The Tobs seemed to gain control of the game and the momentum again in the sixth, when a crazy play resulted in a fielder's choice off the bat of Wilson's Chris Henderson, and two runs scored for the Tobs. Arguing a call at second base, Columbia skipper Tim Medlin was ejected from the game. Columbia, however, answered with two more runs of their own in the sixth. Steven Evans was removed after walking the first three batters of the inning, in favor of reliever Taylor Miller. Miller committed a fielding error and allowed an RBI ground out to put the game at 9-7 in favor of the Tobs.

Wilson had another golden opportunity in the seventh with runners at second and third with no one out. However, against reliever Michael Moore, the Freeman brothers and Jesse Lancaster all were retired on pop outs to second base. In the bottom of the seventh, Columbia would tie the game thanks to a controversial call of their own. With one out, catcher Philip Morgan was called out on strikes, but plate umpire Jose Rivera claimed that Wilson catcher Chris Henderson dropped the ball, and Morgan reached first. That sparked an argument from Wilson's manager, Jeff Steele, who was also ejected. When the inning was over, thanks to a two-out RBI single by Tyler McBride, the game was tied at nine.

In the eighth, Columbia took the lead for good against Miller without the benefit of a base hit. With one out, Oliver Santos was hit by a pitch, and advanced to second on a ground out to first base. Two consecutive wild pitches allowed Santos to score the eventual winning run, despite Wilson loading the bases in the top of the ninth with no one out. Cam Freeman popped out for the first out, and acting manager Cory Conrad put the bunt sign on for Chris Freeman. Freeman, however, bunted the ball straight up in the air, which was caught by Morgan behind the plate. Morgan promptly threw to third, doubling off Justin Parks to end the game. It is Wilson's second straight loss, and their fifth game in a row that has been decided by just one run.

Miller earned the loss, allowing just one earned run over three innings of work, while reliever Michael Moore picked up the victory, entering in the seventh and not allowing a run during two tough situations with runners in scoring position. Columbia managed to score 10 runs while picking up only 7 base hits. Wilson's pitchers combined to walk 11 batters. The Tobs will continue their road trip Friday night when they head to Florence to take on the RedWolves. Wilson defeated Florence this past Friday at Fleming Stadium by a 2-1 score. Game time is set for 7:05 PM, with radio coverage beginning at 6:45 PM.

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