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Tobs squeeze past Wilmington in matinee victory

July 9, 2008

Wilmington, NC — Ryne Mantooth has done it all over the past 48 hours. Tuesday night, he allowed one run over eight innings to defeat the Fayetteville SwampDogs at home. Then on Wednesday, as he was enjoying some rest on the bench in Wilmington, manager Jeff Steele called on him in a critical situation. During the top of the eighth inning, Mantooth was sent in to pinch hit for Jared Richmond in a scoreless game. He had one purpose heading into the batter’s box. Fortunately, the Sharks did not know what his intentions were. With runners at second and third, Mantooth laid down a perfect suicide squeeze bunt down the first base line, plating Packy Elkins with the only run of the game, as the Tobs pulled off a 1-0 victory.

Taylor Miller was given the start on the mound for the Tobs, opposed by right hander Kyle Barry for the Sharks. Both hurled gems, pitching as if they had somewhere to be as the game lasted less than two hours. Miller and Barry breezed through the first five innings of the game, until Barry ran into some trouble in the top of the sixth inning. Jared Richmond drew a one out walk, the first free pass issued by Barry.

Barry then suffered a bad break as he uncorked a wild pitch in the dirt that bounced back to the screen. Cater Kolby Epley could not find the ball, and Richmond scampered all the way to third base with just one out. Barry then walked leadoff hitter Chris McGhee, setting up a golden RBI opportunity for Wilson’s Matt Sanders. Jeff Steele called on the squeeze bunt, but Sanders could only foul it off. Barry then got Sanders to hit into an inning ending double play, keeping the game scoreless.

Prior to Mantooth’s squeeze bunt in the top of the eighth, the inning was set up by another free pass issued by Barry. He walked Packy Elkins to begin the frame, and Cam Freeman followed with a bunt single down the first base line that Barry was unable to field cleanly. Derek Simmons then laid down his second sacrifice bunt of the year, setting up the magical moment for Mantooth. Mantooth actually failed to lay down the squeeze on the first pitch, fouling it into the catcher’s mask. With a 1-1 count, he swung and missed at strike two. Jeff Steele then pushed the right button, gambling with two strikes, and Mantooth answered the call, driving in the game’s only run.

Miller would be removed after seven scoreless frames, and Brandon Brinson pitched the final two innings for his third save of the season. Wilson is now 19-16 overall, and 7-1 in the second half. The Sharks drop their record to 16-18 overall. Brinson got into a bit of trouble in the ninth, as Cory Lyda lined a one out single to center field and then stole second. However, Brinson shut the door as Mike Alvarez and Nick Graepel were retired on fly balls to the outfield.

Wilmington heads to Wilson tomorrow night for the third match up this week between the Tobs and the Sharks. Left hander Brian Moran (UNC) will make his second start of the season for the Tobs. Moran was victorious in his debut July 4th against the Gastonia Grizzlies. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM on “Thirsty Thursday” at Historic Fleming Stadium. Gates open at 6:05, with the first 500 fans receiving a Tobs pint sized glass, sponsored by Budweiser. Radio coverage will begin at 6:45 PM on the CPL 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