Blowfish Win on Walk Off; Clinch Playoff Appearance
July 28, 2012 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Lexington County Blowfish News Release
COLUMBIA, S.C.- The Columbia Blowfish topped the Gastonia Grizzlies 7-6 Saturday night in front of 3,657 people at Historic Capital City Stadium. The win combined with the Florence loss and Peninsula loss guarantees the Blowfish a spot in the 2012 Pettit Cup Playoffs.
The Grizzlies got on the board with a single run in the top of the first off of Blowfish starting pitcher Joel Seddon. Seddon went five innings giving up five runs, three earned, on eight hits while striking out four.
The Blowfish answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first. A Tre-Von Johnson sacrifice fly to right field scored Federico Castagnini. Zach Smith then singled in Graham Saiko to give the Blowfish a 2-1 lead. The Grizzlies then added two runs in each the second and third innings to take a 5-2 lead.
The Blowfish tied the game at five in the fifth scoring three runs. A Joshua Miller single to left scored Jarrod Reed. Johnson then singled to left to score Castagnini. The Blowfish tied the game on a Saiko sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring Miller.
The Blowfish then got solid relief from Chase Rhitarchik who went three innings giving up one run on four hits while striking out two. The Blowfish took the lead in the seventh on a Smith sacrifice fly to left with the bases loaded, Castagnini scored his fourth run of the night on the play. The Grizzlies would then tie the game at six in the top of the eighth.
In the bottom of the ninth the Blowfish would load the bases for Saiko who singled passed third basemen Brad Clement to score Castagnini to give the Blowfish a 7-6 win. The win puts the Blowfish into the playoffs for the first time in team history.
The Blowfish will return to Capital City Stadium for their final home games on Wednesday, August first as they host the Forest City Owls in a doubleheader beginning at 5:05. With tonight's attendance the Blowfish will exceed 40,000 fans through the gates of Capital City Stadium on Wednesday night. Wednesday night will also be Fan Appreciation Night. Any fan who brings a canned food item will receive a free ticket, hotdog and Pepsi. It is also Wet Wednesday with discount beverages until eight o'clock. For more information visit blowfishbaseball.com or call 254-FISH.
The Columbia Blowfish are in their seventh season at Historic Capital City Stadium and 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 51 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 (atwww.facebook.com/coastalplainleague ) and follow us via Twitter (at cpleague).
Coastal Plain League Stories from July 28, 2012
- Kanzler's Four-for-Four Day Leads Clams - Edenton Steamers
- SwampDogs Sprint Through Forest City - Forest City Owls
- HiToms Roll Past Tobs - Wilson Tobs
- Blowfish Win on Walk Off; Clinch Playoff Appearance - Lexington County Blowfish
- Gem from Frank Helps Sharks Clinch Playoff Berth - Wilmington Sharks
- Marlins and Generals Suspended, To Be Completed Monday - Morehead City Marlins
- Late Runs Doom Owls - Forest City Owls
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