Bullpen Falters as Blowfish Blow Late Lead
June 11, 2011 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Lexington County Blowfish News Release
The Gastonia Grizzlies scored eight runs in the late innings to shock the Columbia Blowfish 8-6 in a three hour game in the Capital City. The loss came in spite of a solid performance from Blowfish starter Pat Ludwig,
Ludwig got plenty of run support early. Demontez Jones led off the home half of the first with the single and was followed on the base paths by Chase Vergason, who was hit by a pitch. Brison Celek singled to right to score Jones and Tyler Jackson followed up with a double to chase home Vergason.
The Blowfish (4-7) added to their lead in the second when Demontez Jones reached on a fielders choice and stole second on a close play. Chase Vergason picked up his third RBI of the season, singling Jones around to score.
Then in the fourth the Blowfish looked to be pulling away as Zach Smith led off with a double and scored two batters later on a Jackson single. Robby Assemany followed up with a double of his own to score Celek.
The game changed when Robby Van Cour (1-0) entered the game for Gastonia (5-7) in the sixth. He allowed just one hit over three shut down innings of work.
Ludwig went 5.1 innings allowing just one run, but the Grizzlies chipped away at the Blowfish bullpen. An RBI groundout by Ryne Briley tied the game in the eighth off reliever Scott Robinson (0-1). Later in the inning back-to-back hits by Joe Ramirez and Tyler White put Gastonia up for good.
Derek Epps closed the door on the Blowfish in the ninth to earn his league-leading fifth save of the season. The loss kept the Blowfish tied with Wilmington for last place in the South division; Wilmington lost 4-2 at the hands of the Morehead City Marlins.
The Blowfish travel to Florence on Sunday to play their eighth in-division game. They return home on Monday to host the Wilson Tobs.
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Coastal Plain League Stories from June 11, 2011
- Marlins Stifle Sharks, Prolong Win Streak - Morehead City Marlins
- Hi-Toms Get the Better of Owls Again, 7-2 - Forest City Owls
- Bullpen Falters as Blowfish Blow Late Lead - Lexington County Blowfish
- Tobs Fly by Pilots - Wilson Tobs
- Fayetteville Drops Ten-Inning Thriller to Florence, 3-2 - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- HiToms down Owls, again - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
- Early runs not enough in Sharks' loss - Wilmington Sharks
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