Bray Pitches Edenton to Fifth Straight Victory

July 12, 2013 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release


WILMINGTON, N.C - Adam Bray pitched six scoreless innings and the Edenton Steamers (25-8, 5-2) bullpen withstood a late surge by the Wilmington Sharks (17-17, 3-4) to hang on for a 3-2 victory for their fifth straight win on Thursday night at Buck Hardee Field.

Bray (South Dakota State University), made his fourth start of the season, taking on Alex Luna who made his fourth start of the season as well.

The game began ominously enough for Bray despite getting a double play ball after a leadoff walk; he allowed a two out single. He then struck out the next three hitters but the first two reached by way of a wild pitch to load the bases with two outs. The third strikeout of the inning for Bray retired the side, stranding the bases loaded.

Bray dealt with runners on base in four of his six innings on the mound allowing five hits and two walks, but continuously pitched through the jams and emerged unscathed after six solid innings for Edenton, while adding a season high nine strikeouts.

Edenton, against Luna in the top of the fourth cracked the scoreboard. Laz Villa (Reedley College) reached on an infield single and stole second, his 17th stolen base of the season. With one out Josh Hampton (Wilmington University) struck out but reached on a wild pitch to put runners on first and third. Adam Kirsch (Texas Tech University) knocked his league-leading 16th double of the season, scoring both runners for a 2-0 Steamers lead.

Hampton doubled in the top of the sixth against Luna and came home three batters later on a Sam Bumpers (Lamar University) two-out RBI single to make it 3-0 Steamers.

In the bottom of the seventh Beau Beaudreau (Flagler College) entered in relief of Bray and faced three lefties. Mike Dunster reached on an infield single and Andrew Amaro was hit by a pitch before Alex Freedman sacrificed them both up 90 feet. Jeremy Bales (Lee University) entered the game and recorded an out on a foul out by Cody Dolan. The next hitter Zach Stephens reached on error charged to Hampton at third base that allowed both runners to score to make it 3-2 Steamers. Alex Westrick (Xavier University) entered and recorded the final out of the inning to preserve the one-run lead.

Andrew Nelson (St. Catharine College) pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Jake McCoy (College of the Desert) pitched a one, two, three ninth inning to record his seventh save of the season in the 3-2 Steamer win.

In the top of the eighth against Will Shepley, after putting two men on base via an infield single and a walk, Nick Miller (University of Northern Colorado) tried to bunt and popped into a one-six-three triple play to end the threat.

For the Steamers it was the second time this season they have hit into a triple killing.

Bray earned the win for his six scoreless innings, improving to 2-2 while Luna pitched six innings himself, allowing three runs on eight hits. He did not walk a batter and added nine strikeouts of his own in the loss, falling to 0-2. McCoy is now second in the CPL with seven saves and tops in the CPL's East Division.

Edenton travels to Wilson tomorrow before coming home for two games in a row at Historic Hicks Field. Saturday against the Morehead City Marlins and Sunday against the Peninsula Pilots.

The Edenton Steamers are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, 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 63 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 (as cplbaseball).



Coastal Plain League Stories from July 12, 2013


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