Shepard Savior in Eleventh
August 6, 2015 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release
HOLLY SPRINGS, NC - Chance Shepard's two-run dinger in the top of the 11th inning pushed the Edenton Steamers past the Holly Springs Salamanders by a score of 4-2 in the opening game of the Petitt Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night. Edenton (1-0) has two chances to win the series at home, while Holly Springs (0-1) must win consecutive road games for the first time this summer in order to extend its season.
Devan Watts collected the win for the Teal and Black. Watts (1-0) finished the final three innings, shutting out the Salamanders on two hits with five strikeouts. Zach Prendergast gave the Steamers a quality start, lasting seven innings and allowing two unearned runs on four hits while fanning six batters.
Wayne Wages took the loss for Holly Springs. Wages (0-1) surrendered two runs on two hits while walking three and striking out two in 1.1 innings.
The Clams opened the scoring in the second inning. After Chad Sedio reached on an error, Tony Rosselli singled to center field to put runners on the corners. Rosselli stole second in the next at bat, and Sedio was tagged out between third base and home as Julian Russell reached on a fielder's choice. In the next at bat, Chance Shepard rolled a single through middle of the infield to score Rosselli and put Edenton on the board.
The Steamers added to their lead in the top of the fifth. Shepard led off with a double, and two batters later, Evan Rogers plated the Clams' catcher with a single through the left side of the infield, giving Edenton a 2-0 advantage.
Holly Springs evened the score in the bottom of the seventh inning. Prendergast hit Drew Butler with a pitch to start the frame, and a single by Collin Woody put runners on first and second with one out. A fielding error on Trey Hair in the next at bat allowed Butler to score and left runners on the corners. A sacrifice fly from Devin Wenzel brought home Woody to tie the game.
After five scoreless innings for the Steamers, Shepard came to their aid in the 11th. Julian Russell walked to start the inning before Shepard launched a ball over the scoreboard in left field to give Edenton a 4-2 lead.
Devan Watts closed out the bottom of the inning with two strikeouts sandwiched around a groundout to end the game and give the Clams the win.
The Edenton Steamers host the Salamanders for game two of the series on Thursday night at 7 p.m. Game three, if necessary, also takes place at Historic Hicks Field on Friday. For more information about the Petitt Cup Playoffs, fans can call (252) 482-4080 or visit edentonsteamers.com.
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