Wilson Tobs Baseball - News - Vasquez caps thrilling comeback in 8-7 win

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Vasquez caps thrilling comeback in 8-7 win

Tobs rally from six runs down to beat Florence

June 23, 2009

Wilson, NC — The Wilson Tobs overcame a 6-0 early deficit to rally for a thrilling comeback thanks in large part to outfielder Justin Vasquez, whose game-tying three-run home run and game-winning RBI helped beat the Florence RedWolves in front of 957 fans at Fleming Stadium Monday night by a final score of 8-7 in 10 innings.

Ironically enough; According to Tobs records, the last time the Tobs came back from six runs down or more was against these same RedWolves, exactly five years ago today. On June 22, 2004, the Tobs came back from a 7-1 deficit at American Legion Field to win a ballgame in 10 innings thanks to an outfielder named Justin.

Back then it was Justin Barefoot who powered the Tobs to victory, and on this night, Justin Vasquez was the hero as the right-fielder homered and drove in four in the victory.

The RedWolves struck first when RedWolves first baseman Preston Shuey drilled a two-run double down the third base line to make it a 2-0 ballgame. After adding another run in the second, Florence would add three more runs in the third when Barret Kleinknecht's two-run double to right field helped give the RedWolves a 6-0 advantage.

The Tobs would begin to cut into the deficit in the bottom of the inning when Bryant Lopez lined an RBI-single to right field and then in the fourth when the Tobs added two more to make it 6-3.

With the score 7-3 in the eighth, the Tobs would rally with two outs in the inning. After lineouts by Matt Johns and Jake Astor, Zach Johnson and Matt Faiman each drew four pitch walks against RedWolves reliever Nick Schreiber. Dale Cornstubble popped a bloop RBI-single down the right field line to score Johnson and make it 7-4 in favor of Florence.

It was then when Vasquez, who came into the ballgame hitting .088, drilled a towering three-run home run just over the wall in right field to tie the game at seven.

The game would go to extra innings, when in the tenth a very controversial ending to the ballgame would ensue. Johnson began the Tobs half of the tenth with a leadoff walk. Then Faiman, trying to bunt Johnson into scoring position, beat out a throw to first base on a close play at the bag. Florence head coach Wes Davis would come out of his dugout to contest the call and would eventually be ejected from the ballgame by base umpire Mike Cascioppo.

After Cornstubble was hit by a pitch attempting to bunt, Vasquez came up and bounced a high-hopper to Shuey at first base, and his throw to the plate was unable to force out Zach Johnson as the Tobs got the winning-run and ended the contest with a dramatic 8-7 win.

Jason Sullivan (3-0) came on in the ninth and pitched 1.2 perfect innings to pick up his third win of the season, trying him for the team lead in victories. Steven Neff (0-2) was on the mound in the tenth and watch the Tobs get the game-winning run to give him the loss, his second of the season.

The Tobs hit the road Tuesday night for the back end of a home-and-home series with the RedWolves with the first pitch scheduled for 7:30PM. The team will then return home for a game with the division-leading Fayettevielle Swampdogs at 7:05PM. The Tobs will be celebrating YMCA Family Night out at the ballpark on Wednesday's game with Fayetteville. Don’t forget, you can hear every pitch of the 2009 Tobs season with the Voice of Wilson Tobs Baseball, Dan Hasty, live on WUBN 106.9-FM.

The Wilson Tobs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its thirteenth season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 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:
Dan Hasty
252-291-8627