Batts, Sharks Outduel Blowfish
July 9, 2011 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Lexington County Blowfish News Release
Matt Batts threw a complete game to spark the Wilmington Sharks to a 2-1 victory over the Columbia Blowfish Saturday night. It was the second complete game tossed by a Sharks starter this season.
Batts (1-3) allowed just one run on six hits and two walks while striking out five. The effort spoiled a great start by Blowfish (2-4, 11-23) starter John Long, who went six scoreless innings allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four.
The Blowfish got Long the lead in the third inning when Zach Smith doubled home Chase Vergason with two outs. Smith went 2-4 on the day to extend his hitting streak to eight games.
The Sharks (3-1, 16-16) struck for their two runs off reliever Jake Long (0-2) in the eighth. Daniel Aldrich tripled home Jake Mayers, who reached on a lead-off walk, to tie the game. Aldrich would then score the eventual winning run off a sacrifice fly by Vickash Ramjit.
The Blowfish were able to get two men on in the bottom of the ninth but Batts got Demontez Jones to fly out to right field to end the game. The loss puts the Blowfish just a half game ahead of the idol Florence RedWolves for last place in the South division.
Brison Celek went 0-4 on the day to end his hitting streak at six games. Celek was one of four Blowfish batters held without a hit in the game.
The Blowfish look to rebound on Sunday when they host the division leading Fayetteville SwampDogs. The game starts at the Sunday special start time 6:05 for Irish night at Capital City Stadium. Columbia then heads on the road for a four-game road swing beginning Monday in Morehead City.
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Coastal Plain League Stories from July 9, 2011
- Tobs get comeback win over HiToms! - Wilson Tobs
- Owls Sink Mustangs, 9-2 - Forest City Owls
- Cannon's Pinch-Hit Blast Lifts Fayetteville Over Morehead City - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Sharks push past Columbia for late win - Wilmington Sharks
- Tobs slip past HiToms - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
- Batts, Sharks Outduel Blowfish - Lexington County Blowfish
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