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Ninth inning rally too little too late for Tobs in Columbia

July 19, 2008

Columbia, SC — It looked like the Tobs were headed for another dramatic ninth inning victory. They had come back from deficits before, and they were just one base hit away from tying it up in the game’s final frame. But, it was not to be as the Blowfish held off Wilson’s late magic, defeating the Tobs by a 3-2 final score at Capital City Stadium. The loss drops Wilson to 13-3 in the second half, and the Tobs are now 25-18 overall. Ryan Byrd did not pitch badly but took his third loss of the season, while lefty Tyler McBride recorded win number four, and Rich Witten picked up save number four.

The first half of the game breezed by quickly, as the Tobs squandered back to back scoring opportunities. In the fourth, catcher Chris Henderson reached third base with one out after a single, stolen base, and an error charged to McBride. But Derek Simmons grounded out to the mound, and Jared Richmond struck out to end the threat. The Tobs had an identical situation in the fifth, as Matt Sanders reached on a single, passed ball, and a Packy Elkins sacrifice bunt. But Carlos Vasquez fouled off a squeeze attempt and eventually struck out. Chris McGhee then lined out to center, ending the inning.

Columbia seized the momentum in the fifth against Byrd, after Reggie Taylor led off with an infield single. Branfy Arias then hit a potential double play ball to second baseman Chris McGhee. McGhee’s throw to second, however, sailed into left field, allowing Taylor to come around and score the game’s first run. After Arias advanced to second, Chris Kay bunted him to third, and Byrd uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Arias to score the second run of the inning.

Byrd exited after five, allowing one earned run on five hits without allowing a walk. His LSU teammate Paul Bertuccini pitched a scoreless sixth, but ran into trouble in the seventh. Reggie Taylor led off with another infield single, and advanced on a wild pitch. Arias laid down a good bunt, and Taylor scored Columbia’s third run of the night on a sacrifice fly from Jesse Harmon.

The Tobs put up a fight in the top of the eighth against reliever Erik Sommerville, as McBride was removed after the seventh. Cam Freeman singled to left with two outs, and Justin Parks battled his way to a walk. That brought Henderson to the plate as the tying run, and skipper Tim Medlin played the numbers, bringing in lefty Corey Deering. Deering had served up a homer to Jared Richmond Thursday, but this time he retired Henderson on strikes, closing the door on a big threat.

Things looked fairly comfortable for the Blowfish in the ninth, as closer Rich Witten entered the game with his perfect 0.00 earned run average. But the Tobs never go down easily. Derek Simmons drew a walk to begin the inning. After Richmond was retired, Sanders and Elkins came through with consecutive singles to load up the bases. Mike Markakis came to the plate as the winning run, but he grounded out to third base, driving in Simmons. Down 3-1, Chris McGhee stepped to the plate with runners at second and third. A base hit away from tying the game, the Tobs got a break as a wild pitch from Witten allowed Sanders to score, dropping the Blowfish lead to one. With the tying run ninety feet away, Witten struck out McGhee on a nasty curve to finally end the game and secure a Columbia victory.

Despite the defeat, the Tobs remain the best team in the Coastal Plain League during the second half. All three of their losses have come away from Historic Fleming Stadium. With twelve games remaining, the Tobs have to like their chances as they will play eight more games at home, and just four on the road. Wilson has lost three of five at Capital City Stadium this season. The Tobs play Columbia three more times this season, two of which will take place in Wilson.

Wilson will be well represented in the Coastal Plain League All Star Game Tuesday at McCrary Park. Third baseman Matt Sanders and right fielder Justin Parks are in the starting lineup for the National team, while Ryne Mantooth and Tim Adleman will pitch out of the bullpen for the American team. The Tobs return to regular season action Wednesday, July 23rd when they play their fourth consecutive road game at American Legion Field, home of the Florence RedWolves. Game time is set 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