Pilots Rally to Win in Extras
July 29, 2016 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Peninsula Pilots News Release
HOLLY SPRINGS, N. C. - The Peninsula Pilots rallied to defeat the Holly Springs Salamanders 9-3 in extra innings on Friday night. Peninsula (33-16, 14-8) rallied from a 2-0 deficit with two runs in the ninth inning before exploding for seven runs in the 11th frame, including a grand slam by Kyle McPherson (James Madison) to pull away and earn their fourth straight road victory on the road trip. The Salamanders (18-28, 8-12) dropped their fourth straight contest.
The two teams traded zeroes until the fourth inning when the Salamanders found the scoreboard on a two-run double by Cody Roberts (North Carolina). Drew Butler (Campbell) and Danny Sheehan (San Diego State) each knocked one-out singles before a fielder's choice and an error allowed the Salamanders to load the bases and set up the big hit by Roberts.
The Salamanders pitching staff did a good job of keeping the second-best offense in the CPL at bay with no runs until the ninth inning. The Pilots did have opportunities to put runs on the board and stranded 12 on the night but used a late rally to force extras.
Nick Walker (Old Dominion) led off the ninth inning with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Hunter Taylor (South Carolina). After a fielder's choice put runners on the corners, Franco Guardascione (Jacksonville) drove in the first run for the Pilots with a sacrifice fly to center field. Kurt Sinnen (Old Dominion) followed with a double down the left field line to score Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary) and knot the game at two apiece.
After a scoreless 10th frame, the Pilots exploded for seven runs in the 11th inning to take a commanding 9-2 lead. Once again, Walker led off the inning with a walk before moving to third on a single by Logan Augustine (Lincoln Memorial). Guardascione singled to score Walker and give the Pilots their first and only lead of the night. Devin Mahoney (St. Louis) singled to load the bases and Joe Poduslenko (Seton Hall) followed with a RBI single to put the Pilots ahead by two. Darian Carpenter (VCU) followed with a single to score Guardascione and force the Salamanders to change pitchers. McPherson met the new Salamanders pitcher with a grand slam to put the Pilots up seven.
The Salamanders got a run back in the bottom of the frame but the deficit was too large to overcome.
Peninsula used a strong bullpen to allow time for the offense to get going and capture the 16th victory away from home. Chris Gau (Jacksonville) got the start and retired all six batters he faced before giving way to Caleb Evans (Liberty). The right-hander gave up two runs in two innings before the bullpen held the Salamanders scoreless over the next six innings. Mahoney pitched four scoreless innings of two-hit ball while striking out three. Michael Parmentier (Norfolk State) and Robbie Hiser (Norfolk State) followed with scoreless innings each. Hiser moved to 3-1 on the season.
The Pilots wrap up their four game road trip with a matchup in Holly Springs on Friday night. The team will return home on Saturday night for Star Wars Night against Petersburg. For more information regarding the season, please visit www.peninsulapilots.com. For up to the minute details on Pilots Baseball be sure to "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PeninsulaPilots. Use the #PilotsNation to spread the word about the Pilots.
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Coastal Plain League Stories from July 29, 2016
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