Cranmer's Power Helps Marlins Ground Pilots 4-3

June 29, 2013 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Morehead City Marlins News Release


HAMPTON, V.A. - A combination of solid pitching from Calvin Rayburn (Barry University) and another stellar offensive performance from Ryan Cranmer led the Morehead City Marlins to a 5-3 victory over the Peninsula Pilots at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton, V.A. on Saturday evening.

The Marlins and Pilots had a combined four hits (two each) through four innings. However, the Morehead City bats awoke in the top half of the fifth thanks to a three-run, no doubt home run off the bat of Cranmer. It was his Coastal Plain League leading ninth home run of the year. Jacob Hoyle came home on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Hayden Jones later in the inning for the fourth run of the frame and gave the Marlins a 4-0 lead heading to the home half of the fifth.

The Pilots bounced back, cutting the lead in half at 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth. Bill Cullen got Peninsula on the board with an RBI triple and then scored on a fielder's choice for the second and final run of the inning. Peninsula came to within one at 4-3 in the bottom half of the eighth on an Alex Close sacrifice fly.

Jones gave the Marlins an insurance run with an RBI single, his second RBI on the night, that plated Cranmer on a beautifully executed hit and run by coach Jamie Sheetz's squad. The 5-3 lead proved to be enough as the Marlins held on for the victory.

Calvin Rayburn picked up his third win of the season and is now 3-1. The tall right-hander tossed seven innings allowing just two runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked just one. T.J. Rinoski suffered the loss for the Pilots as he allowed four runs, two of which were earned, over 4.1 innings on the bump. Saunders picked up his first save of the season allowing one run over the final two innings.

The Marlins hung on for the victory improving to 12-16, while Peninsula fell to 14-12. Morehead City has the night off on Sunday and will travel to Petersburg, V.A. on Monday night to begin the second half of the 2013 Coastal Plain League season.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, 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 1,000 alumni drafted and 57 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 June 29, 2013


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