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Wilson rides the arm of Mantooth to victory at Wilmington

June 17, 2008

Wilmington, NC — Starting pitching is often the key to victory at any level of baseball. That sentiment was no different Tuesday night as the Tobs defeated the Wilmington Sharks at Buck Hardee Field by a final count of 10-1 behind their starter Ryne Mantooth. Mantooth tossed eight brilliant innings, allowing just a solo homer to pick up his second victory of the season. Wilson is back to .500 in the CPL South Division at 8-8, while Wilmington falls to three games under at 7-10 overall.

After thunderstorms delayed the start of the game by over a half hour, the Tobs got right to work against Wilmington's David Callander, who came into the game with a 2-1 record. With one out, Packy Elkins drew a walk, and David Simmons double to the gap in right center field, putting runners at second and third. Callander than plunked Chris Henderson and Justin Parks with consecutive pitches, giving Parks an RBI as Elkins scored from third. Matt Sanders, fresh off his one game suspension, contributed a run scoring single in a two run top of the first for Wilson.

As Mantooth cruised through the first five frames, Wilson got another run in the third inning. Chris Henderson poked a one out single to left field, and tried to steal second base. Callander's pitch got away from John Nester, allowing Henderson to get all the way to third. After Parks drew a walk, Henderson scored on Matt Sanders' RBI ground out to third base, giving Wilson a 3-0 lead. The next run would not come in the game until the last of the sixth, when Wilmington's Bobby Leeper led off with solo home run to right center off Mantooth, cutting the Tobs' lead to two.

Mantooth maintained his composure and continued to mow down the Wilmington hitters after giving up the long ball. He finished the night tossing eight frames, allowing six hits and striking out four. His manager, Jeff Steele, attributed his success to the fact that he did not allow a base on balls or a hit batsman all night.

"He (Mantooth) just pounds the strike zone with all three of his pitches," he said. "Ryne doesn't hurt himself by giving up free passes, making the opposing hitters put the ball in play. He really limited the damage tonight by spreading all six of the hits out."

In the top of the eighth, leading by just two, Wilson got the timely hitting that they had been searching for over the last few games. The Tobs scored five runs off of Callander and Wilmington reliever Justice French. After Derek Simmons was retired on a ground ball, Henderson walked and Justin Parks singled to left field. Justice French was called on out of the pen, and got Matt Sanders to hit into what appeared to be an inning ending ground ball double play. Instead, first baseman David Shambley's throw to second hit Parks directly in the back, loading the bases for Wilson.

Kevin Weidenbacher, who struck out in the first inning with the bases juiced, came through with a two run single, scoring Henderson and Parks. A wild pitch uncorked by French scored Sanders, and Cam Freeman's RBI single scored Weidenbacher from third. The Tobs' hitting barrage continued as Nick Hogan came through with a two out single to score Cam Freeman from second, tying the Tobs' highest run output in an inning with five.

"It was certainly nice to have a big inning tonight," Steele said. "It's something we haven't had in a while to give ourselves some breathing room. Consecutive hits were really the key by our hitters who had some great at bats. We enjoy not having to sweat out a one run victory every single night."

In the ninth, after Mantooth completed a scoreless frame to conclude his outing, Wilson plated two more against Wilmington's Cory Burgess without the benefit of a base hit. Simmons was promptly plunked with an inside fastball, and Henderson drew a walk. A passed ball by catcher John Nester advanced the runners, and Sanders' ground out to second scored Simmons, giving Matt his third RBI of the game. Kevin Weidenbacher struck out with two away, but he did so on a wild pitch, allowing him to reach base and Henderson to score from third. Every Wilson batter reached base in the contest except Ross Steedley, who contributed catching Mantooth and retiring a runner trying to steal second base.

Brandon Brinson pitched a scoreless ninth inning to lock up the 10-1 victory for the Tobs. It was the second Wilson victory in their first three games at Buck Hardee Field this season. The Tobs now lead the season series over their division rivals 3-2 with seven regular season contests remaining between the two clubs.

Wilson will try to break the .500 margin once again Wednesday night when they take on the Florence RedWolves at Historic Fleming Stadium. The Tobs and RedWolves split the first four of their meetings this season, with the two Tobs' victories coming at home. Game time is set for 7:05 PM on Chick-Fil-A Night at the ball park. Gates will open at 6:05 PM, and radio coverage begins at 6:45 on the Coastal Plain League WebPass and WUBN 106.9 FM at 6:45 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