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SwampDogs bite back to defeat Tobs

June 22, 2008

Fayetteville, NC — Saturday night’s game had the Tobs feeling pretty good about themselves, knocking off Fayetteville for the first time in a couple of seasons. Sunday’s contest at Fayetteville took the Tobs back to square one. The Tobs’ offense struggled mightily with runners on base as the SwampDogs avenged Saturday’s loss with a 7-3 victory over Wilson at J.P. Riddle Stadium. The Tobs have dropped four of five, and are 9-12 on the season, while Fayetteville moves into a tie for second place with Wilmington at 10-11 overall.

Fayetteville’s bats got off to a good start in the bottom of the first against Wilson’s Paul Novicki. After two quick outs, an Alex Vertcnik single was followed by consecutive RBI doubles off the bats of Parker Banks and Nick Fleece, giving the SwampDogs an early 2-0 lead. Wilson would battle back, however, and tie the game by the top of the fifth. Jared Richmond’s RBI single in the top of the second cut their deficit in half, and Cody Hawn tied it in the fifth frame with an RBI ground out to second base.

Novicki retired eleven in a row, and seemed like he would cruise through the sixth inning as he retired the first two hitters in order. Unfortunately, he would not record another out. Parker Bangs doubled again, and Nick Fleece reached on an infield single. Novicki then lost the strike zone. Back to back walks to Derrick Lowery and pinch hitter Kevin Hussey plated Bangs and gave the SwampDogs a lead they would never relinquish.

The banged up Wilson bullpen sent out south paw Langford Stuber in the seventh. Stuber lost the first game of the season to Fayetteville, and the SwampDogs reminded him of that in the seventh, as he surrendered three runs on three hits and two walks. Bangs cracked his third double of the game, scoring two runs, and a third run crossed the plate on a wild pitch, giving the SwampDogs a 6-2 lead.

T.J. Hinson allowed an insurance run to Fayetteville in the bottom of the eighth. Conner Crumbliss drew a two out walk, and Carter Jurica singled, putting runners on first and second. Alex Vertcnik came through again with a single to center field, scoring Crumbliss. The 7-2 deficit seemed insurmountable for the Tobs, but they would make SwampDogs’ fans hold their breaths in the top of the ninth inning.

Left-hander Jeff Ibarra tried to wrap up the game after pitching a scoreless eighth, but his defense suddenly failed him. Nick Fleece, Kevin Hussey, and Carter Jurica all committed fielding errors in the frame, giving the Tobs a run and bringing Justin Parks to the plate as the tying run with the bases loaded. However, Ibarra retired him on three straight strikes to end the game and provide Fayetteville with a much needed sigh of relief.

In the contest, Fayetteville managed to commit six fielding errors yet come out on top. The Tobs offensive woes continued, leaving 11 runners on base, seven of which were left in scoring position. Reliever Tony Davis got the victory, improving his record to 1-1, while Novicki took a tough loss, yielding three runs in 5.2 innings of work. The loss was the left hander’s first decision of the season. Wilson drops to fourth place in the CPL South Division, and Fayetteville has won three of the first four meetings between the two teams.

For the first time this season, the Tobs will take on the Edenton Steamers Monday night at Historic Fleming Stadium. Right-hander Ryne Mantooth gets the nod on the hill for Wilson. Gates open at 6:05 PM, and the first 250 fans in attendance will receive a free Justin Verlander bobble head doll, courtesy of Thomas and Farris. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM, and radio coverage begins at 6:45 PM on the Coastal Plain League WebPass and 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