Behind Pitching, Cranmer, Marlins Sweep First-Place Fayetteville

Published on July 24, 2012 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Morehead City Marlins News Release


FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Entering the doubleheader Tuesday evening the Fayetteville SwampDogs (28-15 overall, 10-5 second half) sat in first place in the East Division in the second-half standings, but the Morehead City Marlins (17-29 overall, 6-12 second half) won both games, 11-4 and 5-1 Tuesday evening at J.P. Riddle Stadium.

The Marlins received strong starting pitching in both games, as Matt Ogden picked up the win in game one and Steve Landell notched win number one in the season in game two while Ryan Cranmer launched a pair of two-run home runs, one in each game.

In the first game, Morehead City broke a scoreless tie in the third inning, plating four runs. First, Eric Peterson reached on a fielder's choice that scored Landon Moseley from third base. Then after Sam Ott singled, Sal Annunziata doubled to center field that scored both Ott and Peterson. Following a walk to Reed Gordy, Ryan Cranmer singled to left field, scoring Annunziata and giving the Marlins a 4-0 lead.

After Fayetteville got on the board with a run in the fourth, the Fish tacked on another run in the top of the sixth frame. With two outs and nobody aboard, Geoff DeGroot beat out an infield single, setting the stage for Chad Shannon to send an RBI-double to left field and give the Marlins a 5-1 advantage.

In the bottom of the sixth however, Fayetteville staged a comeback with three runs of their own, sending the teams in to the final inning of regulation separated by just one run. The seventh inning belonged to the Marlins though, as the Fish knocked in six more runs, highlighted by a two-run home run off the bat of Cranmer and two more runs via balks.

Ogden (3-2) went four innings and allowed just one run on three hits while striking out four. After entering in the sixth inning in relief, William Prince came on and recorded the final six outs without allowing a run. Max McDonald (2-1) took the loss, surrendering five runs on 11 hits in six innings of work.

In game two the SwampDogs were first to get on the board, plating an unearned run in the bottom of the first frame. The Marlins were quick to answer in the second inning though, when Annunziata walked and Cranmer launched his second home run of the evening to put the Fish on top 2-1.

In the third inning, Morehead City plated a trio of runs, with the big hit coming off the bat of Corey Bass, an RBI-double in to the right-center field gap. Fayetteville struck for an unearned run in the sixth inning to close the gap to 5-2 but could not muster anything in the seventh inning.

Landell (1-3) picked up his first win of the summer, tossing five innings and allowing just unearned run on three hits. Ben Fuchs picked up his first save of the campaign, entering to pitch the seventh inning.

The Marlins are back home tomorrow evening when the take on the Florence RedWolves. It's Marlins team picture giveaway, Hope Week and Police, Fire and EMT night at Big Rock Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. as Matt Sutor has the live broadcast on CPL WebPass beginning approximately 10 minutes prior to first pitch.

Notes: The Marlins finished the regular season with a 4-4 record against Fayetteville... It was the first time the Marlins did not split a doubleheader this season... Cranmer's home runs were his eighth and ninth, putting him in first place in the CPL... Fuchs pitched one inning in each contest.

The Morehead City Marlins are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season in 2012, the CPL 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. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 1,000 alumni drafted and 53 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 be sure to friend us on Facebook (at  www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (at cpleague).For Marlins ticket and team information, please visit www.mhcmarlins.com.

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Coastal Plain League Stories from July 24, 2012


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