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Fireworks at Fleming Stadium for Tobs’ fifth straight

July 4, 2008

Wilson, NC — Before the Thomas and Farris fireworks exploded celebrating America’s birthday, the Tobs provided plenty of fireworks for their crowd of 5,000 plus at Historic Fleming Stadium. Taking on the Gastonia Grizzlies for the only time this season, Wilson pulled off a 6-2 victory, their fifth in a row. The Tobs have won seven of their last nine, and are a perfect 4-0 in the second half of the Coastal Plain League. For the first time since June 15, Wilson is over the .500 mark at 16-15 overall, while Gastonia is 2-2 in the second half and just 11-19 overall.

Making his debut with the Tobs, UNC Tar Heel Brian Moran was as advertised, hurling seven innings while allowing an unearned run and picking up a victory in his first game of the year. Right hander Brent Davis (St. Edwards) gave the Grizzlies a quality start, but suffered his third loss of the season, yielding four runs on nine hits. Wilson’s pitching staff picked up another first, as Paul Bertuccini gave up one run over the final two frames of the night, earning his first save of the season in just his second relief appearance.

In the top of the third inning, Gastonia loaded the bases against Moran with no one out. Moran, however, was up to the task, turning the momentum in the Tobs’ favor by escaping the jam. With the bases juiced, Brandon Casamassima struck out looking for the first out, and Kaleb Herren bounced into a double play to third baseman Matt Sanders, ending the threat and keeping the game scoreless.

Wilson responded in the bottom of the fourth against Davis. Derek Simmons led off with a walk, and Packy Elkins sacrificed him to second base. Chris McGhee then cracked a triple to right center, scoring Simmons for the first run of the game. For the third time this season, Jeff Steele called for the suicide squeeze, and it was laid down successfully by Cam Freeman, bringing home McGhee for a 2-0 Tobs lead.

Gastonia cut the lead in half in the top of the fifth inning. Payden Houser led off with a single, and he was sacrificed to second by Bryant Lopez. Lopez’s bunt was fielded by Moran, whose errant throw allowed Houser to get to third. Houser would score on a double play ground ball off the bat of Chad Dawkins, giving Gastonia their first run of the night. Davis and Moran would exchange zeroes until the bottom half of the seventh, when Wilson picked up some much needed insurance.

Matt Sanders led off the inning with a single and Justin Parks singled with one out to put runners at first and second. With two outs, Derek Simmons drew a walk to load the bases. Packy Elkins then came through with a two out, two run single to left field, extending the lead to three. Moran exited, and Paul Bertuccini surrendered a run in the top of the eighth as Scott Wingo tripled, and Brandon Casamassima singled him in from third base.

Against reliever Brian Greene, the Tobs picked up two runs in the last of the eighth. Cam Freeman led off with another single, and Matt Sanders singled him in from second after Freeman moved up on a ground out. Sanders then stole second base, and scored on a two out RBI single from Justin Parks, the final out of the ball game. Bertuccini tossed a perfect ninth for the save before Thomas and Farris fireworks illuminated the sky above Historic Fleming Stadium on a record-high night with 5,153 fans in attendance.

Wilson will head to American Legion Field Saturday night, where they are 0-3 against the Florence RedWolves this season. Left hander Ryan Byrd (LSU) will make his second start of the season for the Tobs after being defeated by Fayetteville last Friday in his Wilson debut. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 PM with radio coverage beginning at 7:15 PM on 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