Dogs Record First Shutout of Season, Win 6-0

June 23, 2014 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Fayetteville SwampDogs News Release


WILSON, N.C. - The SwampDogs broke out with two home runs in the third inning against Quinn Atwood, and they were able to defeat the Wilson Tobs 6-0 on Monday night at Historic Fleming Stadium.

David LaFleur dug in to lead off the top of the third inning against Atwood, and hit a no-doubt shot out to left-centerfield that cleared the scoreboard to put the Dogs up 1-0. Three batters later, David Palenzuela connected on a monstrous two-run home run to right-centerfield that hit high atop the 20-foot advertising wall to put the SwampDogs up 3-0.

The Dogs would scratch through again with a run in the sixth inning against reliever Daniel Batts. Brandon Metoyer led the inning off with a single, then advanced to second on a stolen base. After a single by LaFleur, Jason Blum drove home Metoyer with a base hit. Lane Paul would be intentionally walked next to load the bases, and Batts was removed in favor of Dylan Frye.

Frye was able to retire the side, and would work a perfect seventh inning to keep the score right where it was.

The Dogs would add two unearned runs in the eighth inning, after a walk to LaFleur and a throwing error from Taylor Nichols put runners on the corners with one out. Paul then came up to the plate and grounded out to second base to bring home LaFleur. Blum would be brought home after Palenzuela lined a Jonathan Waszak offering to left field to make it 6-0.

The real story of the game, though, was the SwampDogs pitching.

Nick Harman went the first six innings for the 'Dogs, allowing just four hits while walking two and striking out five in his first start of the season. He was originally slotted to get the start Friday night at Morehead City, then again on Saturday against the Asheboro Copperheads, but both of those games were washed out by Mother Nature.

Hunter Barnett, Hasten Freeman, and Deshorn Lake were able to combine to throw three scoreless frames in the seventh, eighth and ninth to shut the door and the victory for the SwampDogs. It was the first shutout of the season by the SwampDogs, who are now at the .500 mark at 10-10.

The SwampDogs return home Tuesday to take on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team at 7:05 pm. For tickets and more information call 426-5900.

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 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. The CPL has had over 1,200 alumni drafted and 68 of those - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut; while another notable alum - Russell Wilson - won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Twitter @CPLBaseball.



Coastal Plain League Stories from June 23, 2014


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