Archbold Dominates in 2-1 Victory
Published on August 1, 2013 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Fayetteville SwampDogs News Release
The Fayetteville SwampDogs (11-9, 28-19) won a nail biter, 2-1, in the midst of a pitcher's duel against the Columbia Blowfish (12-7, 29-18).
Kevin Archbold (Albany) and Joshua Knab (South Carolina) each had strong starts and Archbold was one defensive mistake away from a complete game, shutout. He went 8.2 innings, allowing one run (unearned) and nine strikeouts in his seventh start this summer.
Knab had a no-hitter going through 5.1 innings until Adam Walton (Illinois) chopped a ball high in the air to third baseman Josh Sealy (North Greenville) and he legged out the infield hit.
Knab had seven straight 1-2-3 innings to start the game and he only threw 74 pitches through seven innings. But the eighth inning turned into his downfall.
After striking out Brian Celsi (California), Derek Gibson beat out a bunt single down the third base line for the team's second hit of the evening. Two pitches later, he would steal second base on a perfect slide to give the SwampDogs their first runner in scoring position.
Knab got the next batter out, but on a 1-2 pitch, he brought his fastball too far inside and clunked Chase Rader (Coffeyville Community College) to put runners on first and second. Walton would make him pay.
With two strikes and two away, the Buffalo Grove, Illinois native would line a ball into right-center field to score the first run of the game. Gibson ignited as he touched home and the SwampDogs still had runners on the corners with a 1-0 lead.
Walton proceeded to steal second and catcher David Houser (Tennessee) threw behind Rader at third to get him in a pickle. Rader would sprint down the baseline and slide just under the tag of Houser to make it a 2-0 lead.
Knab left the game after 7.2 innings while allowing three hits and two runs. Archbold picked up the ball in the ninth inning looking for his second complete game of the season, but Allen Staton (North Greenville) hit a leadoff double down the right field line to put the tying run at the plate.
Chase Shelton (Charleston Southern) drew just his third walk of the season to put runners on first and second. Instead of laying down a bunt, Staton tried to steal third and Archbold picked him off to give him five pickoffs on the year.
With two outs and the complete game shutout in tact, Connor Lewis (Lander) grounded a routine groundball to Rader, but he threw it two feet in front of Kranson and it hopped over the fence to score Columbia's first run of the game and make it 2-1. Archbold would intentionally walk Ryan Bull (Georgetown) and he was pulled from the game.
He left the game with a standing ovation from the Fayetteville faithful and he hugged his Albany teammate DJ Hoagboon before taking a seat in the dugout. With two outs, Travis Hissong (Wright State) would strike out the only batter he faced to secure the victory for Fayetteville and give Archbold his second win of the season.
The Wilson Tobs beat the Morehead City Marlins 7-5 so with the SwampDogs win, the magic number of making the playoffs is now two. If they sweep the double header against Morehead City tomorrow or if they split the series and Wilson loses, the SwampDogs will clinch a spot in the playoffs.
Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled in Morehead City, NC at 6 p.m. with the second seven-inning game to follow.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, the CPL features 14 teams playing 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. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 1,100 alumni drafted and 64 alums - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Twitter @CPLBaseball.
Coastal Plain League Stories from August 1, 2013
- Sharks Shutout Generals to Clinch Playoff Spot - Wilmington Sharks
- Archbold Dominates in 2-1 Victory - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Blowfish Take 2-1 Loss to Swampdogs - Lexington County Blowfish
- Tobs Top Marlins 7-5 - Morehead City Marlins
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