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Tobs catch just enough breaks to defeat SwampDogs

July 16, 2008

Wilson, NC — When a team doesn’t have its best game and still wins by four runs, it’s a pretty good sign. The Tobs got just four base hits Wednesday night, but took advantage of six walks and two errors committed by Fayetteville as they beat the SwampDogs 5-1 at Historic Fleming Stadium. Wilson is now 11-2 in the second half, and 23-17 overall. Fayetteville continues to struggle against Wilson, as their overall record drops to 20-20. The “Dogs” are just 5-7 in the second half. Taylor Miller got his second win of the season, while Kevin Quackenbush took a tough loss, falling to 3-3 this season.

The Tobs got all five of their runs in a wild bottom of the fourth inning. Justin Parks led off with a ground ball to third base, and Brett Sowers’ throw was wild, allowing Parks to reach base. Chris Henderson sacrificed him to second, and Parks went to third on a deep fly out by Derek Simmons. Packy Elkins then hit a seemingly harmless pop fly to third base. Sowers completely dropped the ball, allowing Parks to score and extending the inning.

Kevin Quackenbush did not get defensive help in the fourth, but he didn’t help himself either. Matt Sanders then drew a walk, and Ryne Mantooth singled in Elkins from second base with the Tobs’ first hit of the night, giving Wilson a 2-0 lead. Jared Richmond broke the game open by lining a two run triple to the left center field gap, plating Sanders and Mantooth. The inning and the scoring finally completed when Chris McGhee singled home Jared Richmond with a high chopper that reached center field.

Taylor Miller tossed seven innings of shutout ball, but not without some scary situations. Fayetteville loaded the bases with just one out in the top of the third. Miller then got Parker Banks to pop out, and he retired Derrick Lowery on a ground ball to retire the side. The SwampDogs also put runners at the corners with no one out in the fifth inning. Miller had his finest inning as he struck the next three hitters out, ending the threat and the frame.

Fayetteville’s lone run of the game scored in the top of the eighth inning. Brandon Brinson began the inning and retired the first two hitters in order. Lowery then cracked a homer over the high back wall in right field, his third of the season. It was the second homer Brinson has yielded this season. In the top of the ninth, Brinson hit two batters, but Fayetteville was unable to bring the tying run to the plate as Justin Pharr and Conner Crumbliss were retired on fly outs.

Despite picking up just four base hits throughout the night, Wilson was able to pull off the victory. Three of the four hits were two out RBI’s in the five run fourth inning. The Tobs have won their last four match-ups with the SwampDogs, tying up the season series at five apiece. Wilson heads to Fayetteville Friday night for another game with the Dogs. Tim Adleman will try and keep his perfect record in tact when the Tobs head to “The Swamp.”

Wilson will head on a three day road trip before the All Star Break. Thursday night, the Tobs head to Capital City Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, to take on the Blowfish at 7:05 PM. Left hander Brian Moran (UNC) gets the nod for Wilson. The Tobs head to Fayetteville on Friday and back to Columbia Saturday. Radio coverage will begin at 6:45 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