News

Sponsored by

First place Tobs down SwampDogs to remain undefeated in second half

July 3, 2008

Fayetteville, NC — It is safe to say that the team chemistry is fully established among the Wilson Tobs. With Thursday’s 6-3 victory over the Fayetteville SwampDogs, the Tobs have won four straight, and six of eight overall. Wilson is a Coastal Plain League best 3-0 in the second half of the season, good for sole possession in the CPL South Division. The Tobs defeated the SwampDogs for the second straight time at J.P. Riddle Stadium, and they are 3-5 against Fayetteville overall. Brandon Brinson picked up win number two in relief, while Mike Nihsen took his first loss of the year.

“It’s nice to start the second half this way,” said Tobs’ manager Jeff Steele. “The team is finding a way to string together some wins, and the lineup is really beginning to gel. It’s all about starting pitching, and we’ve had some quality starts the last few nights.”

Wilson got things going in the top of the third against Mike Nihsen. Cam Freeman led off with an opposite field single to right, and he was followed by another patented Nick Hogan drag bunt base hit down the first base line. After Matt Sanders popped out on the bunt attempt, catcher Chris Henderson lined a double to left center field, breaking the scoreless tie and scoring Freeman from first. Justin Parks then hit a ground ball up the middle, which caromed off of shortstop Conner Crumbliss’ chest, ricocheting into center field. The error allowed both Hogan and Henderson to score, giving Wilson and Taylor Miller a 3-0 lead.

After a lights out first three frames, Miller yielded a run in the last of the fourth. Right fielder Alex Vertcnik singled to left field, and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. With two away, Nick Fleece singled to left center, scoring Vertcnik to get Fayetteville on the board. However, Fleece tried to stretch it into a double, and he was thrown out at second by Hogan from the gap to end the inning.

The game remained tied into the sixth as Miller and Nihsen exchanged zeroes. Fayetteville would tie the game at 3 in the sixth, the last inning of work for Miller. The right hander issued a lead off walk to Conner Crumbliss, and with two outs, Parker Banks deposited a 2-0 fastball deep into the Fayetteville night over the high wall in left field, tying the game. Miller struck out Derrick Lowery to end the inning and his night, picking up seven strike outs.

“Taylor gave us another quality start,” Steele said. “Any time you can hold the opposition to three or less (runs) over six (innings), you are keeping your team in the game. I was proud of his effort tonight, pitching in really hostile environment.”

In the bottom of the seventh, Brandon Brinson took over for the thirteenth time this season. With one out and the game tied, Jason King hit a ground ball to first that went under Cody Hawn’s glove and turned into a triple into the right field corner. With the tying run on third and less than two out, Brinson used his pickoff prowess to escape the jam, catching King leaning as he was tagged out by Matt Sanders. That play seemed to shift the momentum back into the hands of the Tobs.

Immediately after Brinson completed the frame, Wilson got to work with Nihsen remaining on the mound. Matt Sanders had a one out infield single, and Chris Henderson followed with a perfectly placed bunt single down the third base line. Jeff Steele then decided to pull a double steal out of his bag of tricks, as both runners took off. Ryan Lowe’s throw to third base was wild, allowing Sanders to score and sending Henderson to third. Justin Parks then looped a double to shallow right field, scoring Henderson and concluding the night for Nihsen.

Jeff Ibarra took over with Parks on second and got Cody Hawn to ground out, sending Parks to third base with two away. Derek Simmons then walked, and Kevin Weidenbacher hit a ground ball to third base that was booted by Jason King, allowing the sixth and final run of the game to score on Fayetteville’s third fielding error. Just four of the six runs allowed by Nihsen were earned.

Brinson held the lead through the eighth and ninth innings, preserving Wilson’s fourth straight victory. Fayetteville threatened in the ninth inning, bringing the tying run to the plate after Brinson plunked Parker Banks and walked Nick Fleece with one out. But, the comeback was not to be by Fayetteville as Jason King grounded out and pinch hitter Brett Sowers grounded out to end the game.

“He (Brinson) has been lights out for us all year,” Steele said. “Tonight was no different. Brandon was on top of his game as usual. Three scoreless innings says enough about what he has done for us this season.”

Wilson will attempt to continue the roll Friday night at Historic Fleming Stadium as they play host to the Gastonia Grizzlies for the first time this season. A capacity crowd will be treated to witnessing the Tobs’ debut of highly touted left hander Brian Moran, who arrived in Wilson two nights ago from the UNC Tar Heels. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 PM, with gates opening at 6:05 PM. Following the action, Thomas and Farris present a fireworks extravaganza, celebrating our nation’s 232nd birthday. Radio coverage will begin at 6:45 on WUBN 106.9 FM and the Coastal Plain League WebPass 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