Wilson Tobs Baseball - News - JV, bullpen pace Tobs to fourth straight "W"

News

Sponsored by

JV, bullpen pace Tobs to fourth straight "W"

Vasquez's 2nd HR in two games the difference in 2-1 Florence defeat

June 24, 2009

Florence, SC — In a game that featured another classic battle in what's been a season of thrilling, memorable baseball between the Wilson Tobs and Florence RedWolves, Justin Vasquez capped his perfect night at the plate by hitting a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth inning as the Tobs beat the Florence RedWolves in front of 1,585 fans at American Legion Field Monday night by a final score of 2-1.

The comeback was the second by the Tobs in as many games against the RedWolves, and have now extended their season-best winning streak to four games.

The RedWolves struck first when RedWolves center-fielder Drew Haynes grounded an bases loaded RBI-single with nobody out to give the RedWolves a 1-0 advantage. Tobs starting pitcher Jeff Brown would go on to strikeout the next hitter Zach Caldwell, then get shortstop Tyler Burnett to bounce in to a 6-3 double play to end the inning.

A big play in the ballgame would come in the seventh when the RedWolves were looking to add an insurance run. With one out and Florence left-fielder Taylor Lewis at third base, RedWolves head coach and former Tobs assistant Wes Davis called for the "Suicide Squeeze" play, and was unsucessful as the hitter, Caldwell, missed the bunt, allowing Tobs catcher Dale Cornstubble to tag Lewis out at the plate.

Then in the eighth, the Tobs would make another comeback as speedster and pinch hitter Bryant Lopez laid down a bunt base hit down the first base line, advanced to second on a throwing error by catcher Myckie Lugbauer, then would advance to third in a similiar but unusual fashion. Second baseman Aaron Watkins' sacrifice bunt attempt was initially mishandled by Florence starting pitcher John Taylor when he attempted to throw Lopez out at third, and whose corresponding throw to first, which likely would have retired Watkins, pulled first baseman Stephen McCray off the bag. Base umpire Taylor Trealor initially called Watkins out at first base, before thanks to the beckoning of Tobs head coach Jeff Steele, appealed the play to home plate umpire Ben Leake, who overruled Trealor's call and deemed Watkins safe at first.

Before the next pitch was thrown, Watkins found himself in a by-design rundown between first and second with the objective of allowing Lopez to steal home in the process. The play worked to perfection as Lopez stole home and Watkins got back to the bag at first safely. After a double-play off the bat of Bobby Leeper to erase Watkins, Vasquez launched a towering go-ahead solo home run just inside the foul pole down the right field line to give the Tobs a 2-1 lead.

Vasquez ended his night by going 2-for-2 at the plate with a double to go along with his home run, a walk, as well as a hit-by-pitch.

In the ninth, Florence got a one-out single from second baseman Herman Petzold and was subsquently pinch ran for by Sam DiMattieo at first base. The following hitter, as well as Monday night's losing pitcher, Steven Neff lined a 1-2 pitch with DiMatteo going to second to right-field, only to be caught by Vasquez on the run, and his throw to first in time to retire a frantic DiMatteo trying to scamper back to the bag at first base to end the ballgame.

Jeff Brown started and went 5.1 innings for the Tobs, allowing one-run before Jerris Springfield (1-0) came on in the sixth and pitched 1.2 perfect innings to pick up his first win in a Tobs uniform. Jordan Cudney came on to pitch a scoreless ninth and pick up his first save of the season. Taylor (2-2) pitched a complete game for the RedWolves but picked up the tough-luck loss, his second of the season.

The Tobs 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. Don’t forget, if you can't make it out to the ballpark, 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 beginning Wednesday night with the Thomas & Farris Pregame Show at 6:50PM.

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