Caputo Homers as Marlins Edge Hi-Toms 4-3
June 3, 2014 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Morehead City Marlins News Release
MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.- It was a fourth inning home run from Johnny Caputo that sparked the Morehead City Marlins offense on Tuesday en route to a 4-3 victory over the High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms. It was Morehead City's first win of the young 2014 season.
Caputo went 1-for-3 in the game, driving a towering home run to left-center field off starter Matt Anderson to tie the game at one in the fourth, and he later drove in another run with a sacrifice fly. He now has two extra base hits and two RBI in his first two games.
"You could see the guys have been pressing, and with Caputo's home run you could just feel the sigh of relief in the dugout," said Marlins' head coach Sam Carel. "The guys have continued to work hard. They came out again today at 2 o'clock, [and] have respected the process. When you do that and you have talent, good things are going to happen."
"There is a lot of talent on the team, and it just took a hit like that to get everybody going," Caputo added. "I'm glad the offense came to life like that. One through nine there is potential, and if somebody doesn't get it done we showed tonight that the next guy can pick him up. I'm confident in our guys and it is only going to go up from here."
It was a welcome change for a team that had hit just .165 with no home runs entering play on Tuesday, and it set the tone for a crisp, well-played game for the Marlins in all facets. They were patient, drew walks, scored in the late innings and played sound situational baseball offensively. Defensively they did not commit an error - the first time this season that has been the case.
"That goes a long way with pitch counts [and] momentum," Caputo said. "Whenever you can play errorless baseball like we did tonight, that is going to give you a chance to win, and we did."
Not to be lost was the outing from Adam Aldred, who recorded a quality start after tossing 6.1 innings and allowing three runs while punching out eight hitters. Those eight strikeouts tied a season high for Aldred at any level, with his only other eight strikeout game coming on March 2 for Central Michigan against Villanova.
He commanded three pitches - a fast ball, sharp curve, and diving changeup - extremely well, using them as both set up and put away pitches. He also worked himself out of a couple of jams, including one in the first inning where he battled back to strike out the side after allowing two, one-out base runners.
"He got strike one and was really able to really [continue to] throw strikes," Carel said. "They guy competes extremely well. Nothing has really rattled him since he has been here."
The bullpen picked him up as well. After allowing his inherited runner to score in the seventh, the bullpen stopped any further chance at a comeback for the Hi-Toms.
"[Jordan] Knutson came in and did a good job getting the left handers out, and of course [Matt] Tindall and [Casey] Eskew came in to shut the door."
The Marlins also got a boost from their fans, who brought excitement and energy to the club as they inched closer to the victory in the late innings.
"The fans were phenomenal tonight," Carel said. "They were a huge factor in the outcome of tonight's game."
Morehead City will be on the road at Fayetteville tomorrow evening, before returning home to face the first place Edenton Steamers at Big Rock Stadium on Thursday. Both start times are at 7:05
The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 18th season in 2014, the CPL features 14 teams playing 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 1,100 alumni drafted and 65 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 (@CPLBaseball).
Coastal Plain League Stories from June 3, 2014
- Sharks Rally Late, Win Third Straight - Wilmington Sharks
- Caputo Homers as Marlins Edge Hi-Toms 4-3 - Morehead City Marlins
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