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Tobs ride variety of arms to victory over Edenton

June 24, 2008

Edenton, NC — During the bus ride to Historic Hicks Field in Edenton Thursday afternoon, Tobs manager Jeff Steele called a meeting with his pitching staff. He wanted honest answers from his arms. Steele directly asked each pitcher how many innings they thought they would be able to give the club against Edenton. After each pitcher answered his question, Steele had a feeling that his staff would be able to piece it together. When it was all said and done, four pitchers combined to hold off the Steamers as the Tobs picked up a 6-5 victory, splitting the season series with Edenton. The Tobs are now 10-13, while the Steamers remain atop the CPL North Division at 16-7 overall.

“We had our minds set to end this sixteen game stretch by just piecing it together tonight, and the pitchers did what it took to give us a chance to win,” Tobs manager Jeff Steele said. “Edenton is a really tough place to play, and our four arms took it upon themselves to pick up a much needed victory.”

Against starter Jeff Dennis, Wilson hitters gave their pitching staff some breathing room over the first three innings. In the first, Justin Parks singled, Cody Hawn walked, and Derek Simmons singled to load the bases with one out. Second baseman Kevin Weidenbacher got the job done with a sacrifice fly to center field, giving Wilson a 1-0 lead. But the Tobs were not done. In the second, Dennis walked Packy Elkins and Ross Steedley with one out. Nick Hogan then hit a sure double play ball to second base, but Ben Wolgamot’s throw to second base sailed into left field, scoring Elkins. Justin Parks then doubled to right center, scoring Steedley and giving the Tobs a three run lead.

Wolgamot’s defense would again hurt Dennis and the Steamers. In the third, after Steven Evans tossed two scoreless frames for the Tobs, Jared Richmond led off with a single against Dennis. Matt Sanders then hit another double play ball to second, and Wolgamot bobbled the ball, allowing Sanders to reach base. Packy Elkins laid down a successful sacrifice bunt, and after Nick Hogan was hit with a pitch, Justin Parks cracked a two out, two run single to center field, giving Wilson a 5-0 lead.

T.J. Hinson was the second pitcher of the night for the Tobs, and he allowed the game to get much more interesting. Leading by five, he got through the third inning unscathed, but he would not have similar success in the fourth or fifth innings. Pinch hitter R.J. Harris led off the last of the fourth with a single, and advanced on a balk committed by Hinson. With one out, Ryan Boelsen singled to right field, scoring Harris from second. Jacob Robbins then singled, and Hinson’s second balk of the inning allowed the runners to move up to second and third. Matt Theielepape then grounded an infield single up the middle, scoring Boelsen and cutting the Wilson lead to three.

Hinson remained in the contest for the fifth inning, and with one out, Edenton cut the deficit to just one. Brett Nommensen drew a walk, and R.J. Harris hit an opposite field two run home run over the left center field fence, bringing the score to 5-4 in favor of the Tobs. With the Tobs’ momentum dwindling, manager Jeff Steele called on Brandon Brinson out of the bullpen for the tenth time this season. Brinson would strike out the final two batters of the inning, and pitch a perfect sixth, providing some much needed relief after Hinson’s shaky outing.

“Brinson’s done it all season long for us,” said Steele. “There was no doubt in my mind that he would stop the bleeding right there. It was also pretty big to get another run in the next inning.”

In the top of the sixth, Wilson picked up a much needed insurance run as Justin Parks singled for his fourth hit of the night. After he stole second, Weidenbacher came through again with a two out RBI single to center field, giving the Tobs a 6-4 lead. Parks would finish the night at 4-5, driving in three runs while crossing the plate twice.

Brinson remained in the game to start the seventh, and he uncharacteristically ran in to trouble. He allowed a lead off base hit to pinch hitter Broc Sutton, and then plunked Laurn Randell. Brett Nommensen laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Jeff Steele went to his bullpen again, this time calling on Taylor Miller. Miller got R.J. Harris to hit an RBI ground ball, and then struck out clean up hitter Doug Kroll to end the threat.

Wilson threatened to pick up another run in the top of the ninth when Derek Simmons singled, and Weidenbacher bunted him over to second base. But Luke Demko came in and continued his perfect season, striking out Jared Richmond and Matt Sanders. Miller would a perfect eighth and retire the side in the ninth despite yielding a two out walk to Randell. The final out of the contest was a strike out of Nommensen. Miller picked up his first save of the season, and T.J. Hinson received his third victory in relief this season.

“He (Miller) was really sharp tonight,” Steele said. “As usual, he had great life on his fastball. I thought it was really important for him to get the experience of picking up an extended save.”

The Tobs will enjoy a much needed off day on Wednesday before returning home on Thursday to begin a two game home stand. Wilson plays host to the last place Columbia Blowfish at Historic Fleming Stadium, hoping to even the season series with Columbia leading three games to two. Gates will open at 6:05 PM on “Thirsty Thursday” and Cornerstone Night at the ball park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Radio coverage will begin 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