News

Sponsored by

Wilson outlasts Outer Banks in fourteen inning thriller

June 11, 2008

Kill Devil Hills, NC — Neither the Tobs nor the Daredevils wanted the game to end on Wednesday night at First Flight Baseball Complex. When the Tobs took the lead in the top of the twelfth inning, Outer Banks came right back and tied it to keep the game going. In the fourteenth, after the Tobs took yet another one run lead, Outer Banks appeared to be in great shape to keep the game going even longer. However, Tobs' reliever T.J. Hinson was able to get out of a first and third situation with no one out as the Tobs defeated the Daredevils in fourteen innings by a final count of 4-3. The win puts Wilson at 5-5, while Outer Banks falls to 6-6.

The Tobs got an outstanding start from left-hander Steven Evans, who allowed just one earned run in eight innings of work. Outer Banks got on the board in the first, when Dylan Petrich stole third with two outs, and Ross Steedley's throw went into left field, scoring Petrich. Wilson answered right back in the top of the seventh, when designated hitter Zeke Blanton's two out, RBI single scored Matt Sanders, who reached on an error to start the frame.

Neither team would score again until the sixth, when the Tobs used small ball to take a 2-1 lead. With runners at the corners and one out, Ryne Mantooth laid down a beautiful suicide squeeze bunt, scoring Justin Parks from third. Evans was unable to hold the lead for very long, as Outer Banks tied it in the bottom half. After a walk and a stolen base, Daredevils' right fielder Josh Whitaker singled in Petrich to tie the game. Neither team would score again until the twelfth, despite the Tobs getting two runners on base in both the tenth and eleventh innings.

In the top of the twelfth, Nick Hogan was hit by a pitch, and was sacrificed to second by Packy Elkins. After a single by Parks, Chris Henderson laced a run scoring single into right field to give Wilson a 3-2 lead. That lead was not protected by T.J. Hinson, who relieved Taylor Miller. Miller pitched three perfect innings in relief of Evans, and was eligible for a victory. However, Hinson allowed the game tying run on a fielder's choice RBI by Daredevils' pinch hitter Pete Paris.

Both teams got through the thirteenth. With two out and no one on in the fourteenth, Justin Parks was hit by Outer Banks' reliever Caleb Cuevas. He then stole second, and Henderson came through with his second RBI in extra innings, looping a double down the left field line, scoring Parks with the eventual game winning run.

"We battled all fourteen innings, and it finally paid off (in the fourteenth)," Henderson said. "It was a pretty big slump buster for me to come through twice. Hopefully, the hits will start dropping for me."

In the last half of the inning, it appeared that Hinson would once again surrender the lead, after a double and a bunt single. However, Hinson retired the final three hitters in order on a line out, a fly out, and a fielder's choice at second base hit into by Outer Banks center fielder Sean Ryan. Hinson has pitched in just five innings, recording two victories in just two appearances as a member of the Tobs.

Wilson will head home Thursday night for a contest at Historic Fleming Stadium against the first place Florence RedWolves. They will play the RedWolves twice in a row, heading down to Florence, SC Friday night. Thursday's game will begin at 7:05 PM on Thirsty Thursday and Carolina Cheese Company Night at Fleming Stadium. Radio coverage will begin on WUBN 106.9 FM and the Coastal Plain League WebPass at 6:45 PM with Eric Kopp.

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