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Evans tosses complete game shutout as Tobs rout SwampDogs

July 1, 2008

Fayetteville, NC — The clean slate that the Tobs were given after the first half concluded Monday night was exactly what they were hoping for. After Tuesday’s second half opener, that clean slate is looking pretty shiny as the Tobs shut out the Fayetteville SwampDogs by a final score of 9-0 at J.P. Riddle Stadium. It was Wilson’s first victory in Fayetteville this season, and the Tobs are now just 2-5 in the season series with the SwampDogs. Steven Evans tossed a complete game shutout, getting his first victory as a member of the Tobs. Kevin Quackenbush took his second loss of the year for Fayetteville.

Quackenbush came into the game with an ERA of just 0.54, but the Tobs changed that in a hurry during a four run second inning. Packy Elkins lined a one out single to right field, and that begin a streak of four consecutive base hits, including RBI singles by Cam Freeman and Nick Hogan. Chris Henderson then continued the Tobs’ successful two out hitting by lining a two run double to the left center field gap, giving the Tobs a 4-0 in the second inning.

Wilson would tack on another run against Quackenbush in his final inning of work, the top of the fourth. The Tobs began the inning with three consecutive bunt singles by Freeman, Hogan, and Matt Sanders. With one out, Justin Parks picked up his team leading 17th RBI of the season on a ground out to shortstop, scoring Hogan from third. Quackenbush would be removed in favor of reliever Chris Patterson, who did not fare much better.

In the top of the fifth, with one out, Packy Elkins clobbered his first homer of the season to right field, giving Wilson a 6-0 lead as Steven Evans continued to deal on the other side. The Tobs picked up their seventh run in the top of the sixth as Chris Henderson singled with two outs, and Justin Parks followed that up with an RBI triple down the left field line, extending the Tobs’ lead to seven.

Evans had struggled earlier in the season, but tonight certainly changed that pattern. Evans faced the minimum through four and a third, getting help all night with three ground ball double plays turned in by the middle of Wilson’s infield. Fayetteville only picked up three base hits all night, two of which belonged to right fielder Nick Fleece. Evans would allow just one walk in the ninth inning to Chris Schaeffer, but he was quickly erased as Brett Sowers rapped into a double play at second base.

In the top of the ninth, the Tobs picked up two more runs against Carter Jurica, making his debut on the mound for the SwampDogs. Cody Hawn hit a booming RBI double to dead center field, scoring Chris Henderson from first. After Jurica loaded the bases with a hit batsman and a walk, Chris McGhee launched a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Hawn from third. McGhee would finish the night with two hits and an RBI, both firsts as a member of the Tobs.

Wilson will try and extend their winning streak to three Wednesday night when the Florence RedWolves roll in to Historic Fleming Stadium, with game time beginning at 7:05 PM. Gates will open at 6:05 PM on Time Warner Cable Night at the ball park. Radio coverage of the action 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