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Tobs walk off winners on Steedley's blast

June 26, 2008

Wilson, NC — The game was seconds away from heading to extra innings. Ross Steedley was one strike away from going down on strikes to Erik Sommerville to end the ninth inning.Steedley continued to battle, fouling off tough pitch after tough pitch. Then, he got one he liked.On a 2-2 count, Ross Steedley homered to left center field, giving the Tobs a 4-3 walk off victory over the Columbia Blowfish. The win was Wilson’s second straight, and put their record at 11-13 on the year, while Columbia is now 7-18 overall.

Before Steedley’s heroic blast, the game was tied for most of the contest. Both teams scored single runs in the third inning. Brandon Brinson allowed a run to the Blowfish in the top of the frame on a two out RBI double off the bat of Tyler Bortnick, scoring Jesse Harmon from first base. Wilson answered right back in the bottom of the inning when Justin Parks two out RBI single to left scored Cam Freeman. The scoring would be completed until the seventh, as Brinson and Carson kept both teams at bay.

In the bottom of the seventh, with two outs, Nick Hogan dunked a double to left field, seeming rather unimportant at the time. But, that gave Justin Parks another chance at a two out RBI. Parks did not miss, cracking a two run home run over the scoreboard in left center field, giving Wilson a 3-1 lead on his third long ball of the season. The game seemed well in the hands of the Tobs, as Brinson held total control of the Blowfish offense. But, Brinson had tired, and Paul Novicki took over in the top of the eighth.

After striking out Harmon to begin the inning, Novicki allowed a single to Tyler Bortnick, and then walked Tyler McBride. Right hander Tim Adleman took over, appearing in his first game as a reliever. Adleman retired Jesse Barbaro on strikes, and then intentionally walked David Anderson to load the bases with two outs for Rich Witten. Witten was up to the challenge, singling to center field, scoring Bortnick and McBride to tie the game at three apiece.

Erik Sommerville pitched the eighth and ninth in relief of Blair Carson.Carson and Brinson were both masterful, earning no decisions. Carson allowed three earned runs over seven innings, while Brinson lasted seven as well, yielding just one run. Sommerville retired the first five hitters he faced in the eighth and the ninth before Steedley’s historic blast. It was Wilson’s second walk off victory of the year. The Tobs defeated Wilmington 7-6 in extra innings back on June 3rd. Wilson and Columbia are now even on the season series, with each team winning three contests. Both the Tobs and Blowfish have won two out of three at their home ballparks versus one another.

The Tobs will take on the Fayetteville SwampDogs at Historic Fleming Stadium Friday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Gates will open at 6:05 PM on Steve Hardy’s Original Beach Party Night. It is also Miller Lite Night and Harley Davidson Night at the ball park. As always, 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