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Highest offensive output of season leads to first road victory

June 7, 2008

Columbia, SC — Despite scoring a season-high 10 runs, the Wilson Tobs needed a hero out of the bullpen to lock down their first road victory of the season. That hero was Barton College's Brandon Brinson, who tossed 5.2 solid innings in relief, picking up the victory, as the Tobs defeated the Columbia Blowfish 10-6 at Capital City Stadium. The win ended the Tobs' three game losing streak, and put their overall record at 3-4, while Columbia drops to 3-6 overall.

"The win was meaningful in so many different ways," said Tobs' manager Jeff Steele. "The effort has been there all season, and picking up the first road victory was huge. I am proud of the way we have played so far, and we feel confident moving forward."

Wilson got on the board in the top of the first, finally converting in a bases loaded, no one out situation. However, it was not the ideal output, as Nick Hogan scored on Chris Henderson's ground ball double play. Columbia answered right back against starter Langford Stuber in the first, as Blair Carson singled home Branfy Arias to tie the game at one. Then, in the top of the third, Wilson took advantage of several Columbia miscues.

The Tobs scored five runs on just two singles in the inning, as Columbia committed four errors and walked two batters. The only two singles were RBI hits by Wilson's designated hitter, Zeke Blanton, and their short stop, Packy Elkins. Stuber was unable to keep the Blowfish off the board, as they plated two on Jesse Barbaro's bases loaded single to center field. In the fourth, Wilson got two more on Justin Parks' RBI single. He then got himself in a run down between first and second as Jerry Sands was able to steal home, giving the Tobs an 8-3 lead. Again, Stuber struggled in the bottom half of the frame. Enter Brandon Brinson.

The right-hander from Barton was masterful in relief for Wilson, notching his first victory of the season. His toughest situation was in the fourth with the bases loaded and one out, but he ended all concerns for the Tobs when he got clean up hitter Oliver Santos to hit into an inning ending double play.

"Brandon was the hero tonight, there's no doubt about it," Steele said. "It's great to know that I can count on him out of the bullpen for a long stretch like that."

Wilson would add single runs in the sixth and the ninth innings. In the sixth, Justin Parks was hit with a pitch when the bases were loaded by Columbia reliever and former Tob, Erik Sommerville. Nick Hogan would add an important insurance run in the top of the ninth, singling home Cam Freeman with a two out single to left field. Brinson's only blemish was two earned runs in the sixth, with a run coming on an RBI ground out, and another on a wild pitch.

The Tobs will make the long trip home from Columbia Saturday night, and play host to the Wilmington Sharks on Sunday at Historic Fleming Stadium in Wilson before enjoying a day off on Monday. Game time is scheduled for 6:05 PM on First Venture Properties' Family Night at the ball park. Radio coverage will begin on WUBN 106.9 FM and the Coastal Plain League WebPass with the "Thomas and Farris Pre-Game Show" at 5:45 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