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Adleman pilots Tobs to victory over Peninsula

July 11, 2008

Hampton, VA — In a titanic battle of two first place teams, the outcome was almost certain from the third inning on. Wilson scored three in the top of the third inning and never looked back as the Tobs defeated the Peninsula Pilots 7-3 at War Memorial Stadium. The victory was the Tobs’ fourth in a row, and Wilson is now a league-best 9-1 in the second half of the season. Peninsula remains in first place in the North Division at 5-1, and their record drops to 19-16 overall. Wilson is now 21-16 this season, having won 12 of their last 15 since the final week of June.

With Tim Adleman on the hill looking to make his record a perfect 6-0, Wilson’s offense knew they would not have to score a ton of runs. All of the necessary offensive damage was done in the top of the third inning. After Cam Freeman was retired to begin the frame, Chris McGhee bunted for a hit down the first base line against start Sean Ray. Matt Sanders then delivered the first run of the game with an RBI double to left center field. The Tobs were not done making the Pilots feel their presence.

Justin Parks then followed suit with an RBI double to right field of his own, and catcher Chris Henderson singled Parks in from second to make the score 3-0 in favor of the Tobs. Derek Simmons was retired on strikes for out number two, but Packy Elkins doubled down the right field line to score Henderson all the way from first. Wilson’s three doubles in the inning sets a season high mark for extra base hits in a frame. The four run outburst was more than enough for Tim Adleman.

The Tobs tacked on another in the fourth. Chris McGhee singled to deep shortstop, and stole his second base of the season as he swiped second. Matt Sanders delivered again with an RBI single to right center, plating McGhee and giving the Tobs a comfortable 5-0 lead. Adleman again gave the Tobs an outstanding quality starts, striking out six and allowing just two hits over seven innings. He lost his bid for a no hitter in the last half of the sixth, when lead off hitter Matt Payton doubled to right field. On the other side, Ray gave up five earned runs before being removed in the fourth.

Adleman and the Pilots bullpen kept the game moving quickly. Runs would not be scored again until the ninth, when Wilson plated two against right handed reliever Ben Paxton. After retiring Justin Parks, Paxton plunked Chris Henderson and Derek Simmons with consecutive pitches. Packy Elkins then hit what appeared to be a sure double play grounder, but shortstop Jake McAloose’s throw went into the dugout, allowing Henderson to score and putting Elkins at second. Kevin Weidenbacher came through with his third hit of the night, scoring Elkins to give Wilson a 7-0 lead.

Brandon Brinson had already pitched a scoreless eighth, and the game appeared to be resulting in a shutout victory for the Tobs as the first two hitters in the ninth went down quickly. Then, the Tobs got sloppy. Chris Baker hit a slow roller off the mound, and Brinson’s throw to first was errant, allowing Baker to reach second. Brinson regained his composure and got pinch hitter Jose Iglesias to hit a ground ball to Elkins. Packy’s throw was low, and Baker raced home with the first run for Peninsula. Pinch hitter Adam Rice then doubled to left center, scoring Iglesias.

Peninsula refused to go quietly into the night, scoring their third run of the inning with two outs as Brad Winter singled to center field, plating Rice from second base. However, a dramatic ninth inning comeback was not to be for the Pilots, as Brinson restored order and closed the door by retiring Payton on a ground ball back to the mound. The Tobs are now 4-1 against CPL opponents out of their division, with another contest coming tomorrow against a team from the North.

Wilson hits the road in the state of Virginia again tomorrow, as they take on the Petersburg Generals Saturday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Left hander Ryan Byrd (LSU) will get the nod for the first place Tobs. Radio coverage begins at 6:45 PM on WUBN 106.9 FM with Eric Kopp. After an off day Sunday, the Tobs will return home Monday for Salute to Heroes Night at Historic Fleming Stadium. Gates will open up at 6:05 as Wilson plays host to the Kernersville Bulldogs.

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