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Tobs blown out at home by Fish

June 16, 2008

Wilson, NC — The final five innings of Monday's contest between the Tobs and the Blowfish had gone Wilson's way. If the game started after the fourth, the Tobs would have been leading by three. The first four innings for Steven Evans and the Tobs were the problem. Steven Evans lasted just three innings, yielding six runs, as the Tobs dropped their second straight game, 9-3, to the Columbia Blowfish. The victory put the Tobs at 7-8 on the season, while the last place Blowfish improve to 5-11 overall. The season series between Wilson and Columbia is even at 2 apiece.

Columbia reached base early and often in the first four innings. In the top of the first, the Blowfish went to work against Steven Evans. Evans had been outstanding in his last outing at Outer Banks, but Columbia had his number Monday night. With one out, Tyler McBride walked and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. After a ground out, Jesse Barbaro ripped an RBI single to right field, putting Columbia up by a run.

Wilson had a golden opportunity to tie up the game in the bottom of the first. Nick Hogan led off with a single against Columbia's Blair Carson, and Packy Elkins played hit and run, singling to right field, advancing Hogan to third base. But Carson was able to bear down, retiring the next three Tobs hitters, leaving both runners on base. In the top of the second, Columbia's offense continued to hold the momentum.

With two outs and a runner on second, catcher Chris Kay tripled to right center field, scoring Brandy Arias. Tyler Bortnick would follow up with another two out RBI, singling and scoring Kay from third base. In the third, Evans' final inning, Columbia scored three runs on just two hits. Thanks to a couple of walks issued by the Tobs' lefty, Oliver Santos had a two run single, and Arias came through with a sacrifice fly to score Rich Witten.

Columbia tacked on three more in the fourth as Blair Carson continued to stymie the Wilson hitters. Facing Mike Brogan, making his Wilson debut, Jesse Barbaro had an RBI single, and Columbia scored twice on RBI fielder's choices. Brogan allowed just two earned runs after Kevin Weidenbacher committed a throwing error at second base.

Carson completed the first five innings against Wilson, but the Tobs were finally able to break through in their half of the sixth. With two outs and the bases loaded, Weidenbacher cracked a two out, two run double to right field, scoring Derek Simmons and Chris Henderson. Jared Richmond then was sent up to pinch hit against Zeke Blanton, but he was retired on a line out to right field.

In the seventh, Wilson picked up its final run of the came as Cam Freeman deposited the first pitch he saw from Blair Carson over the left field fence for a solo homer. It was the last pitch Carson would throw, and the first homer by Freeman as a Wilson Tob. Sid Fallaw pitched the seventh and eighth for Columbia, and former Tob Erik Sommerville closed out the game in the ninth.

The lone bright spot of the game for Tobs pitchers was Paul Novicki. The left hander took over in the fifth and tossed five scoreless frames with his team down by nine runs. Novicki used the benefit of four double plays to escape several jams, and he struck out two in his longest outing of the season.

Wilson will try to break its two game losing streak tomorrow night when the Tobs head back to Wilmington to take on the Sharks. The Tobs split their Father's Day doubleheader with the Tobs on Sunday. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 PM from Buck Hardee Field. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:45 PM on WUBN 106.9 FM 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